Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper fumes at VAR after holding 'best team in the world' to a draw

The defending champions were hopeful of returning to the top of the table when they took the lead through Bernardo Silva's first-half stunner.

However, a string of missed chances after the break proved costly as Chris Wood's first goal for Forest in the 83rd minute saw them take a point. Forest's point was reward for staying in the game and it proved important on a day when Everton, Southampton and Bournemouth all won at the foot of the table.

Boss Steve Cooper, who said City are the "best team in the world", believes Silva's goal should have been ruled out for a kick in the face for Worrall in the build-up.

"I was disappointed with the goal, but I am really disappointed with VAR, Joe Worrall was kicked in the head," he said.

"For me it is a clear foul anywhere else on the pitch. They have to pick up on that.

"I am not denying they didn't have the ball and chances, but VAR has let the referee down there, I am not sure who it was.

"Of all weekends they needed a good one and it is another talking point for them. We are disappointed with that."

On his side's performance, he added: "We knew the game was going to look like it did, we planned for it to look the way it did.

"You don't say it before the game but you are playing against an incredible team, for me they are the best team in the world at domestic level, you have to sacrifice the ideals in the game to try and get something out of it.

"That is how it was, we put a plan in place to stay in the game as long as we could. They had loads of the ball and territory but we defended well. We managed to stay in the game and got the equaliser. We have to be satisfied.

"It is a positive result and one that will hopefully help."

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