Manchester City slip up against Forest handing advantage to Arsenal

Chris Wood grabbed a late equaliser against Manchester City

PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester City slip up against Forest handing advantage to Arsenal

Faruq Ibrahim 18:04 - 18.02.2023

Pep Guardiola's side failed to keep pace with Arsenal as they drew 1-1 against Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City dominated from the start of the game until late in the first half, when they finally got the breakthrough. They continued in the same vein and looked like they had the game won until a late Nottingham Forest strike broke their hearts to end the game 1-1.

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Manchester City went away to the Tricky Trees, and Pep Guardiola's side knew that only a win would suffice, as rivals Arsenal had already won. The hosts refused to be brushed aside, ensuring City, did not leave the City Ground with maximum points.

The visitors went ahead in the 41st minute of the game on a Bernardo Silva strike. Manchester City were coasting home before substitute Chris Wood equalised for Forest in the 85th minute.

Bernardo Silva fired Manchester City ahead
Bernardo Silva fired Manchester City ahead

The draw meant Manchester City fail to reclaim the top spot from Arsenal after the Gunners' victory against Aston Villa.

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How it happened

Manchester City were finally rewarded for their dominant display when Jack Grealish rolled the ball onto Bernardo Silva’s part in front of the penalty area before the Portuguese riffled the ball past Keylor Navas in goal for the Tricky Trees.

The second-half continued in the same fashion as the first, with both teams camped in Nottingham Forest’s half of the field, but Nottingham Forest progressively got involved in proceedings with quick breaks. 

Chris Wood grabbed a late equaliser against Manchester City
Chris Wood grabbed a late equaliser against Manchester City

Manchester City continued to press, with Nottingham Forest periodically coming up for air through counterattacks. Manchester City were looking like they had the game won before Forest broke on the counter again. This time it was consequential as Morgan Gibbs-White ran down the right hand channel before squaring the ball to a free Chris Wood at the far post for a tap-in.

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Manchester City rue profligacy

Manchester City were utterly dominant possession-wise, spending most of the game in Forest's half and attempting over 20 shots, with six landing in the frame of the goal; however, only one managed to beat Steve Cooper's Costa Rican shot stopper.

Manchester City created five big chances and generated an xG of 2.54, but poor finishing saw that they scored only once, allowing the hosts a way back into the game before they eventually equalised.