What Murillo did during Nottingham Forest’s 5-0 loss to Bournemouth that infuriated Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest’s nine-game unbeaten Premier League run came to an end on Saturday at the hands of Bournemouth, with Nuno Espirito Santo visibly frustrated throughout.
Forest’s loss away to Bournemouth was Espirito Santo’s side’s first defeat of 2025, adding a rare level of doubt to their push for European football.
Bournemouth may have been surprised at the relative simplicity of the result given Androni Iraola’s comments on Forest’s away form, but the Forest squad looked overwhelmed by their host’s full-throttle display.
It was a particularly disappointing display given the positivity surrounding the City Ground this week after Murillo signed a new Forest contract on Tuesday.
However, the Brazilian defender produced an out-of-character performance against Bournemouth which clearly frustrated the Forest manager on the touchline.
Murillo of Nottingham Forest reacts during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest FC at Vitality Stadium on Januar…
Nuno Espirito Santo seen frustrated by Murillo vs Bournemouth
With Forest a goal down going into the half-time break, Murillo went on one of his trademark runs into the midfield before dragging a poor shot well wide of Kepa Arriazabalaga’s goal.
Phil McNulty, who was reporting on the game for BBC Sport, was quick to notice Espirito Santo’s incredibly animated reaction to his defender’s choice.
He said: “Magnificently furious reaction from Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo as Murillo surges out of defence before sending a shot from about 35 yards trickling hopelessly wide.
“Nuno went through the full range of gestures of fury before storming – and I mean storming – back to his seat. Not a happy Nuno at all.”
Espirito Santo would only get more frustrated as his side shipped four second-half goals in a humiliating display, with Murillo’s stats from the defeat showing he didn’t cover himself in glory.
Murillo struggles in Nottingham Forest humiliation vs Bournemouth
Murillo was up against Bournemouth’s backup striker in Dango Ouattara as Evenilson was injured, but it was far from an easy afternoon for the Brazilian.
First, he was out-jumped by Ouattara for Bournemouth’s second goal, before the striker out-muscled Murillo to fire in his hat-trick.
Murillo lost five of his nine duels in the match, including half of his aerial duels against a Bournemouth side with little to no height in attack.
He also struggled on the ball, completing just 74% of his passes which must’ve been incredibly frustrating for the Forest coaching staff as their side couldn’t build out from the defence in a convincing way.
Forest are demanding a world-record fee for Murillo should any side be interested in buying the Brazilian, which seems less likely after his disastrous performance against Bournemouth.
