Report and free match highlights as goals from Josko Gvardiol and substitute Erling Haaland secure three points for Manchester City at Nottingham Forest; Arsenal stay one point above defending champions; Nuno Espirito Santo's side remain a point above Luton in scrap for survival
Monday 29 April 2024 09:54, UK
Manchester City moved back to within a point of leaders Arsenal at the Premier League summit as Erling Haaland got back on the scoresheet during a routine 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest.
Haaland was a second-half substitute and his introduction helped Pep Guardiola's side motor to victory as he latched onto Kevin De Bruyne's pass to thunder home his 21st league goal of the season.
By then, Josko Gvardiol had already headed City in front from a De Bruyne corner (32), on an afternoon which at times looked uncomfortable for the defending champions but was ultimately negotiated with minimal fuss.
Ederson left the City Ground with his left arm in a sling after coming off at half-time following a collision with Willy Boly - but it was the only sour point on a day Guardiola oversaw his 300th Premier League game in charge.
Arsenal survived a second-half response from Tottenham earlier on Super Sunday to complete a north London derby double for the season and ensure they would remain top of the Premier League table until at least next Saturday.
But, placed once more in the position of chasers in this engrossing battle, City came up with the answers in the Midlands, where they have previously lost to Wolves and Aston Villa this season.
If they continue to do so in their final four games, they will be crowned Premier League champions for an unprecedented fourth time in a row.
Haaland said: "It's an important win, it does not matter how we do it, and it is good to be back. We knew it was going to be a fight, and the pitch was not the easiest to play on but we cannot complain, it is about winning and that is exactly what we did.
"The most important thing is to not think [about the title race], especially in these moments. It's about taking it day by day. Honestly, if you overthink you're going to be crazy in your head, so relax, enjoy and focus on the next one."
Forest, meanwhile, remain a point outside the relegation zone with the club expected to learn the outcome this week of their appeal against the four points deducted for breaking financial rules last season.
Forest's season was never going to be defined by this encounter, but City's could well have been had they not shaken off obdurate opponents.
When they needed control, Haaland provided it, finishing off a 29-pass move after 83 seconds of possession.
After 32 minutes of toil, City hit the front with the most simple of goals, with Forest down to 10 players.
Neco Williams was off the field receiving treatment when De Bruyne's corner was met powerfully by Gvardiol, rising ahead of Murillo having peeled off Morgan Gibbs-White. The ball flew past Matz Sels before he could react.
Michael Dawson told Sky Sports: "It is naïve - Williams goes down and you can see clearly he will not continue. It is a great header, though, he is way past the far post and just has to guide it. But it is avoidable from Forest."
The hosts had some really good moments during the first half with City far from their swashbuckling best. Guardiola's side have been described as a machine and a juggernaut as Liverpool have faltered, but with Phil Foden absent through illness and Haaland only fit enough to start on the bench, they had to dig deep along the River Trent.
Chris Wood was guilty of the biggest miss in the opening half as he was unable to readjust his feet to tuck home Gonzalo Montiel's pull back.
Paul Merson said: "It's a big miss. He could even take a touch, and then score. He's got to be on his toes - his feet don't move."
On the stroke of half-time, a fumble from Ederson at a Gibbs-White corner presented the ball at the feet of Murillo but the centre-back flicked his effort from a yard out over the crossbar.
City were forced into replacing Ederson at the break with Stefan Ortega called upon for a third time in the Premier League this season.
Yet three minutes into the restart, Anthony Elanga pounced on a Kyle Walker mistake to cross for Wood to see his goal-bound shot blocked heroically by Gvardiol.
There was concern etched on Guardiola's face as he consulted fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura, who held a stop-clock to his gaze. When could Haaland come on?
With half an hour remaining, it was time - and the Norwegian was soon unleashed by De Bruyne to steer City to victory.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola: "It was a difficult game, they played with bravery. They have fast players with a lot of quality so we found a goal in the moment when it was 10 against 11.
"It is a great victory as we had a lot of games behind us. Now we have a long week to recover.
"The game changed when Bernardo [Silva] came inside and made a lot of passes. It was difficult because the opponents were so tough, aggressive. These game are so, so tough at this stage in the Premier League."
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "We played a good game, were compact, organised and had chances. We did a good job regarding how hard it is to play against Manchester City, and the players gave it a big go. With this attitude, we will achieve what we want.
"We are disappointed with the result, the encouragement comes from the way we work, how committed we are, and what we have ahead of us. This is more important. We stay positive and we go for the next three games.
"The performance today, and before, we are working very hard, but missing important moments also in the defensive aspect in the games and set pieces, but we are giving it a go. It is important we keep producing because we trust that the final touch will come."
On Chris Wood and Forest's missed chances: "We could have done better. Chris is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, we trust him and he will deliver for sure."
Sky Sports' Roy Keane:
"It's all about getting results at this stage of the season. Pep, given the standards he sets, will certainly be concerned with the chances they gave up in the first half, but they had a lot more control in the second half.
"It's the same old story with City, even when they are not at their best. They know how to win football matches, they have good options off the bench, and they have got into a really good habit of winning matches in recent years.
"I was worried at the start of the game, I wondered if they could slip up, but I think City will win all the rest of their matches now."
Sky Sports' Micah Richards:
"City made sure they got the job done. It was about moments. There are going to be times when you're going for the Premier League when you're not at your best, but it's about getting over the line at pivotal moments, and that is exactly what City have done."
Sky Sports' Alan Smith:
"You don't often seen City concede as many shots on their goal as they have today [15-10 in Forest's favour]. Nuno Espirito Santo will just be disappointed Forest have not been able to tuck a couple of them away."
Nottingham Forest travel to Sheffield United on May 4, kick-off 3pm, while Manchester City host Wolves live on Saturday Night Football on the same day, kick-off 5.30pm.
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