Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late second half goal gave counter-attacking Nottingham Forest a crucial top-four clash victory over Manchester City at the City Ground early Saturday morning.
WATCH – Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City full match replay
Forest rarely had the ball but also were rarely under threat, defending resolutely and ultimately climbing about their hosts on the Premier League table.
The win moves third-place Forest four points clear of Man City, who will see a host of would-be top-four rivals if they look over their shoulders.
Man City’s air of inevitability gone
For most of the past half-decade, Manchester City defended in a low block was a very risky proposition. Kevin De Bruyne was surely going to unlock the defense and if he didn’t one of the wingers would cue up a teammate for a glittering chance or five. But it never really felt that way on Saturday, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s confident back line often had a half-dozen or so hungry defenders in their box. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo also did a good job keeping Erling Haaland from the ball after an early chance from the big Ny orwegian nearly flustered the Tricky Trees. And so City’s top-four and top-five hopes take another hit, thanks in part to Guardiola feeling the need to remove cautioned Nico Gonzalez early in the second half but mostly because Forest felt no fear in the face of a previously unlikely quest to thwart Man City’s attack.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Man City host Brighton at 11am ET Saturday, the same time Forest kick off away to Ipswich Town
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday
Venue: The City Ground — Nottingham
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch online via NBC.com
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City final score: 1-0
Callum Hudson-Odoi 83'
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City live updates
Full time stats — Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man City
Possession: Manchester City 69%
Shot attempts: Man City 14-9
Shots on target: Forest 4-3
Expected goals (xG): Man City 0.85-0.62
Corner kicks: Forest 3-2
Big chances: 0-0
(from fotmob.com)
Callum Hudson-Odoi goal — Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man City (83rd minute)
Morgan Gibbs-White sprays a ridiculous long diagonal across and down the field to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who had just swapped sides of the pitch.
Hudson-Odoi has a half-yard of space on Josko Gvardiol and he lashes past Ederson at the near post in a manner that will leave the Brazilian in a state of frustration.
Forest sub
Elanga exits for Ibrahima Sangare. Elliot Anderson will move up to wing.
0-0, 80'.
Marmoush wins free kick off cautioned Yates
Forest sub Ryan Yates is in the book rather quickly as he barges into Omar Marmoush’s 77th-minute dribble.
Marmoush and Kevin De Bruyne stand over the dead ball from the outside left corner of the 18.
It’s De Bruyne’s service that’s drilled low at the feet of Matz Sels, who gets low to collect it.
0-0, 78'.
Man City subs
Savinho exits and so does Foden, replaced by Kevin De Bruyne and Omar Marmoush.
0-0, 69'.
Ederson pushes would-be goal off the post
A vigorous counter attack sees Forest keep the ball despite the moment seemingly passing multiple times.
Callum Hudson-Odoi proves it hadn’t, clobbering a shot that Ederson slaps off the far post before City clear the danger.
0-0, 68'.
Man City subs
Nico Gonzalez and Matheus Nunes exit for Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis.
Both of the exiting players were on yellow cards.
0-0, 63'.
Matheus Nunes cautioned
Nunes loses a foot race to Gibbs-White and the former fouls the latter for winning the loose ball.
0-0, 57'.
Forest get first chance of second half
Ederson called into duty for a hard, close-range shot from Dominguez.
He’s favoring his upper leg after the attempt.
0-0, 48'.
Halftime — Nottingham Forest 0-0 Manchester City
Forest had glimpses of the game but this has been heavily City.
The visitors held nearly 70 percent of the ball and conceded only 0.09 xGA, often looking quite composed when Forest reached the final third.
City’s 7-2 shots advantage came with just 0.54 expected goals. Josko Gvardiol delivered an immense half at left back, with his 10 passes into the final third double the amount of any other player.
Nicolas Dominguez has been Forest’s star, and Gibbs-White’s yellow card looms over Nuno Espirito Santo’s hopes for the second half.
Morgan Gibbs-White cautioned
A yellow card to the Forest playmaker, who chops down Jeremy Doku on a dribble after City had smothered the hosts’ most-promising foray of the first half-hour.
0-0, 28'.
Gonzalez rocket just wide
City are moving the ball well and Nico Gonzalez is 40 yards out when he spies a 15-yard gap to drive.
Gonzalez gets his weight into a big attempt at the near post, but just misses the target.
0-0, 15'.
Haaland comes close!
Chris Wood is deep in his own half as he gives the ball to Erling Haaland, which is generally a poor idea.
Haaland squeezes a shot through three bodies and it takes a turn off of Murillo, missing the far post.
The referees miss the deflection and it’s a goal kick to Haaland’s chagrin.
0-0, 9'
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Wood
Manchester City lineup
Ederson, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Nico, Bernardo, Savinho, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City preview
Neither side expected this match to mean what it means to their current seasons when they designed their plans for the 2024-25 Premier League campaigns.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest finished one spot above the relegation zone last season. They enter Week 28 in third, six points back of second-place Arsenal and a point ahead of four-time defending champions Manchester City.
Yes, that’s right — Man City are not just 20 points off the title pace, they are fourth and no certainty to return to the UEFA Champions League. Their 47 points are one off fifth, three off sixth, and only five above 10th place on the table.
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
OUT: Carlos Miguel (thigh)
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: John Stones (thigh), Rodri (torn ACL - MORE), Manuel Akanji (muscular), Manuel Akanji (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Oscar Bobb (fitness)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City prediction
This is the exact type of game that’s often troubled City this season, as Forest’s enthusiastic low block and even more ready counter attack are a danger to City’s frailties in defensive transition. City beat Forest 3-0 in the reverse fixture, but a pair of early goals really influenced the champs’ ability to play away from Forest’s strengths. The first stanza of this game will tell us a lot about where it’ll finish. City are coming off a rare week away, and that feels like a difference maker. Forest 1-3 Man City.
