Bruno Fernandes marked his 250th Manchester United appearance with a decisive strike against Leicester City, while Murillo’s first Nottingham Forest goal gave his side the lead over Newcastle United in Saturday’s Premier League action.
The Portuguese midfielder kept his shot low to beat Mads Hermansen after a perfect layoff from Amad, recording his 83rd goal for United. “What a fantastic way to mark your 250th appearance for Manchester United,” observed BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter from Old Trafford.
At the City Ground, Forest broke the deadlock through Murillo, who powered home an unmarked header from Anthony Elanga’s free-kick delivery. Newcastle responded immediately, with Bruno Guimaraes forcing goalkeeper Matz Sels into action with a curling effort from 25 yards.
“Forest will sit in this mid-block and be ready to pounce for the counter-attacks. Really important Newcastle stay focused and get back into their game,” noted a former Newcastle midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra as the atmosphere reached fever pitch.
The hosts had appeared less composed than Newcastle in the opening 20 minutes before Murillo’s intervention. “Forest had not looked as composed as Newcastle in the opening 20 minutes but it was an excellent delivery from Anthony Elanga. The Magpies did not pick up Murillo at all though, it was really poor marking,” reported BBC Sport from the City Ground.