Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late strike gave Nottingham Forest an excellent 1-0 win over Manchester Metropolis as Pep Guardiola’s facet suffered a blow to their hopes of Champions League qualification.
It appeared a recreation which pitted third towards fourth on the Metropolis Floor was heading for a stalemate earlier than Hudson-Odoi managed a wonderful cross-field cross from Morgan Gibbs-White, reduce inside and beat Ederson at his close to submit within the 83rd minute.
The purpose sealed a momentous win for Forest, permitting them to open up a four-point hole on struggling Metropolis, who may now fall under Chelsea, into fifth, if the Blues win at house to Leicester on Sunday.
Manchester Metropolis dominated possession however struggled to carve out clear possibilities, going closest when Nico Gonzalez struck Matz Sels’ right-hand submit with a stinging drive within the first half, quickly after Erling Haaland had fired narrowly huge.
That early Haaland effort proved considered one of solely two pictures from him over the course of a day wherein Forest once more defended doggedly, as of their goalless draw at house to second-placed Arsenal final trip. Their whole of 12 clear sheets this season is second solely to leaders Liverpool.
The hosts grew in perception as Manchester Metropolis continued to labour in entrance of purpose within the second half, regardless of sending on Kevin de Bruyne and Omar Marmoush, and nearly broke the impasse earlier.
Hudson-Odoi was the protagonist on that event too, however his curling shot was brilliantly pushed onto the upright by a full-stretch Ederson, just for the goalkeeper’s lapse at his close to submit to permit the identical participant to attain the decisive purpose quickly afterwards.
As Forest have a good time one other memorable victory, which considerably boosts their very own hopes of Champions League qualification, Metropolis are left going through a serious battle to qualify themselves, with Newcastle, Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham and Aston Villa shut behind them in addition to Chelsea.
Blunt Metropolis put CL hopes in jeopardy
Nottingham Forest deserve big credit score for his or her defensive show. Manchester Metropolis should not the primary facet to wrestle to interrupt them down this season. However the listlessness of their assault will fear Guardiola nonetheless.
Gonzalez hit the submit from lengthy vary however the guests’ 14 pictures in whole had been price a mere 0.85 anticipated targets, a determine which underlines how they struggled to create high-quality openings.
Their defensive points have been the main target of their poor season however all isn’t effectively within the attacking third both. This was the seventh Premier League recreation this season wherein they’ve mustered beneath 1.0 anticipated targets. That’s one thing which solely occurred 5 occasions throughout the entire of the final marketing campaign.
Guardiola mentioned failing to qualify for the Champions League wouldn’t be the top of the world in his pre-match press convention. His facet’s points, in assault in addition to defence, counsel it’s a actuality he could but should confront.
