Nottingham Forest secured a key 1-0 victory over the ruling Manchester City champions on the city ground, thanks to the great Calluma Hudson-Odoi strike.
The opening of 45 minutes was closely challenged, and both teams are trying to create clear options.
The city dominated the property, wanting to break up the well -organized Forest defense line, but they lacked their usual fluidity in the attack.
Forest, on the other hand, has played on a counter-attack, using the Anothy Elanga and Hudson-Odoi pace to use the space left by the high defensive line of City.
The hosts had their first real opportunity when Chris Wood crossed the long ball over the top, but his attempt to lobby Eerson lacked power and was comfortably gathered by the Brazilian goalkeeper.
City was the best chance for half when Nico Gonzalez tried his hand from a distance, and his strike collapsed from the outside of the post office. Phil Foden also had the opportunity to break the stalemate, but he saw his effort in the immediate vicinity blocked by Nicolas Dominguez.
The second half began with several attacking intentions from Forest, which seemed increasingly confident in his approach.
Come in !!! 😍 pic.twitter.com/dlpocdq83z
– Nottingham Forest (@nffc) March 8, 2025
They pressed a taller down the terrain and a problematic city backlog, especially through Hudson-Dodoi’s ability to dribble.
City had a dangerous free kick just in front of the box, and Kevin de Bruyne appeared to take over it. However, Matz Sels was equal to the task, which was comfortable to save. A few minutes later, an effort for a curling from De Bruyne sailed only throughout the post.
The breakthrough came in the 83rd minute. Morgan Gibbs-White picked up the ball in the middle of the field and spotted Hudson-Odoi in space on the right.
The wing cut inside, took over Josko Guardiol, and released a strong shot according to near the post. The ball was squeezed next to Eerson and in the net, sending a home audience to anger.
City responded by throwing more bodies forward in search of equalization. Pep Guardiola presented Omar Marmoush’s de Bruyne in an attempt to add more offensive swing.
Mateo Kovacic had the last opportunity, hitting a volleyball from the edge of the box, but his effort was only worse than the post.
Forest stayed for a familiar victory, to the satisfaction of their supporters. The city soil was in full voice because the final whistle confirmed the key three points for the home side.
Nottingham Forest will look to upgrade to this momentum as they advocate for the best four endings. In the meantime, City will need to be too grouped as they persecute them in the last 10 games.
