The Nottingham Forest side moved away from the defence while Manchester City took a step towards a fourth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 win at the City Ground on Sunday.
Kevin De Bruyne helped goals from Josko Gvardiol and super replacement Erling Haaland to give City all three points, as the three-time defending champions dropped a point to Arsenal with a game in hand and reduced the goal difference to seven between the sides.
WATCH THE FULL REPLAY OF THE NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS MANCHESTER CITY MATCH
But Forest won the xG war and outscored City 15-10, missing out on several important chances, some of which, strangely, came from the most level-headed and in-form scorer, Chris Wood.
Forest’s 26 points are just one more than 18th-placed Luton Town and two ahead of 19th-placed Burnley as all three teams battle for a single spot in the 2024-25 Premier League season. All three teams have 3 games to play and Forest Burnley on Sunday for the championship.
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Rarely do you see Manchester City give up so many important opportunities in front of anyone, let us leave a team from the back half, and Forest will regret the problems that may have brought them much closer to the protection of the Premier League and also put the Premier League to the forefront. On the other hand, Manchester City retains the destiny of its name, as 3 victories will make everything Arsenal do unrelated to the first quadruple circular in the history of the Premier League.
For what it’s worth, Erling Haaland’s return to the pitch has found a hungry replacement who needs to protect his name from the Golden Boot. If he’s back in form for the final three games, and if Phil Foden recovers from the illness that kept him pinned out of the most sensible 18, that total name may be in the bag.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Ratings (via fotmob. com)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Ratings (via fotmob. com)
Could Forest get a lifeline from already relegated Sheffield United?The Tricky Trees at Bramall Lane at 10 a. m. ET on Saturday.
City host Wolves at 12:30 p. m. per day.
Start: 11:30 a a. m. ET, Sunday TV Channel: USA NetworkOnline: Live Stream NBC. com
Scorers: Gvardiola (32′), Haaland (71′)
Kevin De Bruyne sent Erling Haaland off in the 18th, when the Norwegian beat the injured Murillo and pushed him ahead of Mats Sels.
Normal service has resumed after a difficult period.
In fact, it’s simplistic to some extent, but City look like a team that played away from home on Thursday against a team that had a week to reflect on what it considered an injustice.
Erling Haaland will now come to check and fix that problem, his first move since the Champions League.
Anthony Elanga put the club’s most sensible goalscorer on the doorstep, but Chris Wood missed his line, a low shot blocked by Josko Gvardiol.
Elanga toasted Kyle Walker to create an opportunity. Nervous.
Ederson is unable to continue due to injury and Stefan Ortega will take his place, while Mateo Kovacic replaces Jeremy Doku in midfield.
The forest is the most damaging side!
Yes, of course, City had the ball with 2/3 possession, Forest’s 8 shots are ahead of City with one.
And the xG belongs to Forest with an unexpected 1. 31-0. 29.
A header from Josko Gvardiola following a Kevin De Bruyne corner (the Belgian’s seventh attempt of the PL season) made the difference.
Gonzalo Montiel receives a huge cross from the left and cuts it down for Chris Wood.
All six of them are alone away from home and barely get the ball back. Ugh, make it 1-1.
It’s an established purpose and Forest has noticed a lot of it.
Josko Gvardiol gets close to the post and nods.
Morgan Gibbs-White couldn’t stop a dangerous Forest free-kick under the crossbar, and now it’s Manchester City’s turn.
Kevin De Bruyne’s effort is led by full-back Murillo. Key intervention. Corner.
In the first minute, Ola Aina ran down the left and crossed to the far post.
Nico Williams doesn’t see it at all and can only get an inferior piece of the ball.
That would have a message.
Premier League Golden Boot co-leader Erling Haaland might appear to be on the bench, but there is one surprising omission from Man City 18, and that is Phil Foden, who is in poor health (rhyme, at least initially, unintentional).
Sales, Aina, Murillo, Boly, Williams, Niakhate, Danilo, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Madera
Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Doku, Grealish, Alvarez
RELEASED: Taiwo Awoniyi (undisclosed), Willy Boly (unrevealed)
QUESTIONABLE: Erling Haaland (punch)
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