Erling Haaland came off the bench to fire Premier League champions Manchester City back to within a point of leaders Arsenal with a hectic 2-0 win against a spirited but ultimately wasteful Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Haaland – who replaced Jack Grealish just after the hour-mark – moved top of the league scoring charts when he raced onto a lovely pass from Kevin De Bruyne to slam home his 21st of the season on 71 minutes after a De Bruyne corner enabled Josko Gvardiol to glance a headed opener for the visitors on 32 minutes.
With title rivals Arsenal winning 3-2 at Tottenham earlier in the day, Pep Guardiola’s side are a point off Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who have played a game more than City with 80 points from 35 matches.
City are aiming to become the first club to win four straight English league titles, but were pushed hard by Forest, who were undone by their lack of finishing power with Chris Wood wasting several chances and Murillo hitting the bar before the break.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side remain fourth bottom of the table, a point above Luton in the drop zone, but will take heart from this performance in their battle to avoid relegation.
Match Highlights
32′ GOAL! NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-1 MANCHESTER CITY (GVARDIOL) Josko Gvardiol loses Gibbs-White to glance a header into the net at the near post from the De Bruyne cross. Exceptional corner, superb finish and the visitors have the vital lead.
40′ GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR FOREST Aina with the cross to the back post, Montiel with the super cutback across goal, but Wood just couldn’t sort out his feet in time five yards out as the ball spins away. Looked a certain equaliser. Groans around the ground.
45+2′ EDERSON ALMOST GIFTS FOREST EQUALISER Seemed to spill a corner under pressure from Murillo, who then knocks the loose ball off the bar and over. How does he not score there? Wasn’t a foul on the City keeper.
69′ DE BRUYNE COMES TO LIFE The Belgian playmaker detects some space just outside the home box, but his swerving shot is well tipped away by the diving frame of Matz Sels.
70′ GOAL! NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (HAALAND) And there is the moment that is almost written in the stars. De Bruyne with the pass to Haaland and he races away from the injured Murillo to slide the ball into the net. Lovely finish. Surely game, set and match. 21 league goals amid an overall haul of 32.