- Manchester City defeated relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 to get just one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal and retain control of the title chase.
- Arsenal’s 3-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby gave them a four-point lead.
- Man City’s easy victory at Forest made sure that their title fate is still in their own hands.
Manchester City defeated relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 to get just one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal and retain control of the title chase.
Arsenal‘s 3-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby gave them a four-point lead, but Man City’s easy victory at Forest made sure that their title fate is still in their own hands.
How the game unfolded
Gvardiol opened the scoring. Photo/ Sky Sports
Before the Premier League anthem began, Forest supporters sent out boos, which was to be expected given their point deduction and the events of the previous weekend against Everton.
Within the first 20 seconds, Forest had a clear chance to take the lead against Man City, but Neco Williams mishandled a dangerous cross into the opposition’s box, allowing the champions to escape with a let-off at the City Ground.
In the eighth minute, Man City had a near opportunity when Kevin De Bruyne’s low shot deflected off Williams and was pushed wide of the goal by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Williams was involved at both ends a lot; in the fifteenth minute, Ederson had to tip an effort from the defender wide of the post; in the opening exchanges, Forest’s number seven was everywhere before being substituted due to injury; and Man City were finding it difficult to take control of a lively match in Nottingham.
In the 28th minute, Chris Wood headed a corner from De Bruyne over the crossbar, but four minutes later, Gvardiol gave Man City the lead, heading the ball in close to the goal.
Man City was relieved once more when Gvardiol’s header put the Citizens ahead at halftime. Murillo had struck the crossbar for the hosts in stoppage time. Wood had a chance to tie the score in the 38th minute, but he somehow missed the mark after Gonzalo Montiel’s cross.
Following some great work by Anthony Elanga, Wood had another great opportunity early in the second half, but Gvardiol stopped his close-range shot.
In the 63rd minute, Julian Alvarez glanced one over the crossbar for Forest, and four minutes later, the home team’s goalie stopped De Bruyne’s thunderous shot.
However, Man City added a second goal in the 71st minute when Haaland, who had only joined the game in the 62nd, found De Bruyne and finished calmly in the bottom corner.
Erling Haaland. Photo/ Eurosport
After the second goal went in, Forest knew it would be a difficult road back. The visitors finished the game to gain three crucial points in their title chase.
Haaland stated, “It’s a crucial win, no matter how we achieve it, and it’s great to be back. We knew it was going to be a tussle, and the pitch wasn’t the easiest to play on, but we can’t complain since the goal is to win, which we accomplished.”
“The most important thing is not to focus about the title race, especially now. It’s about taking things day by day. Honestly, if you overthink, you’ll go mad in your thoughts, so relax, enjoy, and concentrate on the next one.”
Man City plays Wolverhampton Wanderers , Fulham, Tottenham, and West Ham United in its final four Premier League games of the season.
Although Forest is still one point above the relegation zone, the team is likely to find out this week how their appeal against the four points they lost due to financial rule violations from the previous season went.
The last three games for relegation-threatened Forest are against Sheffield United, Chelsea, and Burnley, with the matchup against the Clarets on the last matchday looking to be particularly intense.
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