Manchester City is still master of its destiny. Far from being 100% calm during his trip to the pitch at Nottingham Forest, a club which is playing for its skin in the Premier League, the Citizens got away with it. Opportunistic in the first period then in control once their opponent had no more juice, Pep Guardiola’s men pocketed a precious success in their long-distance fight with Arsenal for the title (0-2). In the standings, Manchester City is just One point behind the Gunners, still with one game in hand. Nottingham Forest, for their part, may have some regrets after this cruel scenario.
We saw a lot of Pep Guardiola scratching his head and taking 100 steps in his technical area during this match against Nottingham Forest. We imagine that he must not have been satisfied with the performance of his players, who did not at all display an imperial face, at least up to the level of a club which is playing for the title. Conversely, Nottingham Forest played their luck bravely, like a team that needs points to dream of remaining in the elite.
Arrogance, VAR, politics: French arbitration at rock bottom
Unfortunately for him, the Citizens had a rather sickening success. Struggling to find solutions in the game, City relied on a set piece to open the scoring, at a time when they were in numerical superiority due to the injury to Neco Williams. On a corner well taken by Kevin De Bruyne, Josko Gvardiol threw himself at the near post with more determination than everyone (0-1, 32nd).
Forest may have regrets
Behind in the score, Nottingham Forest at least had the merit of not completely sinking. On the contrary, he was much more dangerous than Manchester City, with great offensive inspirations. But one man symbolized his excitement to conclude: Chris Wood, who had two balls to equalize. One before the break, after a delivery from Gonzalo Montiel (38th), another in the second half, after a perfect cross from Anthony Elanga (47th). Each time, he was alone at point blank range, or in an armchair, but missed his move. And, by dint of deploying a lot of effort to get back into the game, Nottingham Forest drew physically.
Manchester City therefore offered themselves a quiet end to the match, especially after the break made by Erling Haaland. The Norwegian, replacing at kick-off, enhanced a good transmission from De Bruyne, with a dribble to eliminate Murillo then a clinical strike to deceive Matz Sels, who had previously worked against De Bruyne (0-2, 71st ). On arrival, the Citizens escaped from a hell of a trap, relying more on their experience and their talent. This makes them five wins in a row in the league and they need four more to pocket a new title without worrying about what Arsenal does.
