- Nottingham Forest hosted Manchester City at the Forest grounds in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon
- City headed into the game seeking to go back on top of the table after an earlier Arsenal victory
- City took the lead in the first half but a Chris Wood leveller in the second half meant the two teams shared the spoils
Chris Wood’s injury-time goal gave Nottingham Forest a 1-1 draw on Saturday, denying Manchester City the chance to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League.
With Arsenal’s dramatic victory over Aston Villa earlier in the day, Pep Guardiola’s team was demoted, but Bernardo Silva’s magnificent first-half goal gave them hope of regaining the top spot.
Erling Haaland was responsible for one particularly blatant blunder as City blew numerous golden opportunities to extend their lead in the second half, and they were deservedly penalized late on.
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring the opener against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday, February 18 2023. | PHOTO: Goal |
As retribution for City’s carelessness and to give Arsenal the upper hand in the title race, substitute Wood stepped up at the back post and scored his first goal for the team.
Despite having full dominance on the ball, City did not create their first clear sight of goal until the 33rd minute, when Rodri nearly headed Kevin De Bruyne’s excellent cross wide.
Silva gave City the lead with a beautiful left-footed shot from 25 yards that was too powerful for Keylor Navas just moments after flashing a long-range attempt wide.
Shortly after the break, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte missed great opportunities to extend City’s lead. Halfway through the second period, Haaland hit the crossbar and mysteriously crashed over the rebound.
When City kept pressing forward, Navas saved an Ilkay Gundogan free-kick. But, the visitors scored the following goal when Morgan Gibbs-White found Wood at the far post, where the on-loan Newcastle United striker nudged the ball home.
Nottingham Forest players celebrate after Chris Wood scored the equalizer against Manchester City when the two teams clashed in the Premier League on Saturday, February 18 2023. | PHOTO: Guardian |
Guardiola responded by introducing Julian Alvarez, but despite having the World Cup champion, City still lost two points in unnecessary circumstances.
Manchester City fails to keep pace with Arsenal
The pressure on City increased after Arsenal’s victory over Villa, but the champions were unable to respond.
Although they dominated with 23 shots to 4 for Forest and held 73.3 percent of the possession, their inability to score a second goal ultimately cost them the game.
Silva ends goal drought
Silva scored his first goal since a 4-2 victory against Crystal Palace on August 27, when City had the majority of the possession but were having trouble getting past Forest’s staunch defence. The three points would have been a fitting result, but Wood had other plans.
Sluggish Jonjo
Jonjo Shelvey appeared to be much behind the pace on his first Premier League campaign start. Before being replaced in the 72nd minute, the former Newcastle United midfielder failed to win a single duel or complete any crucial passes.
On Wednesday, City will play at RB Leipzig in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match. On Saturday, City will travel to Bournemouth in the Premier League, while Forest will play at West Ham.
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