It was a tight game. We didn’t create many chances but we defended really well and controlled the transitions for almost all of the game.
They defended really well and we were not precise enough in the last moment.
Defensively we were really, really good. [Abdukodir Khusanov] played very well.
We have 10 games to quality [for the Champions League]. We have 10 finals, the next one is Brighton.
2:40PM
Ola Aina speaks to TNT Sports
It’s a massive result for us. We knew City were hot on our tails and we needed to get a result – thankfully we did.
[On facing Jeremy Doku] It’s tough. He’s very direct, a really tricky player. I was telling him on the pitch, ‘You need to chill man!’
He’s a tough opponent and one that I like to test myself against. I’m sure he likes to test himself against me. It was a good battle today.
2:35PM
Another away day to forget
That was City’s sixth league defeat away from home this season, more even than Manchester United, and their 11th in all competitions. Those 11 defeats have come in the last 17 games, a run that would have been unimaginable even five months ago.
Pep Guardiola consoles Mateo Kovacic, left.
Pep Guardiola consoles Mateo Kovacic, left. Credit: DARREN STAPLES/AFP
2:31PM
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s reaction
Look at this crowd. It’s amazing! They give us energy in every single game and we fought for every ball.
I’m absolutely buzzing with the goal. I’m happy for the team – it’s not just me, it’s the whole performance. We worked hard and we deserve this. We can enjoy it now but we have to recover and go again next week.
[On Morgan Gibbs-White’s pass for the goal] Every time I tell him, ‘Just look for me, look for me, look for me’, and he found me. With that quality he’s got, he’s a special player.
2:24PM
FT: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0
A famous win for Nottingham Forest! They have beaten the champions of England for the first time since December 1994 and are surely heading for Europe, probably in the Champions League.
An intriguing match – cagey in the first half, frantic in the second – was settled by a late goal from the impressive Callum Hudson-Odoi. Let’s hear what he has to say.
2:21PM
90+2 min: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0
So close to an equaliser! Kovacic, 25 yards out, cuts across a sweet strike that beats the flying Selz and curves this far wide of the far post. It may even have brushed the post.
2:19PM
90 min: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0
There will be four added minutes. City are having almost all of the ball now but Forest continue to threaten on the break; they’ve managed this game superbly.
2:18PM
87 min: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0
Forest dramatically take the lead with seven minutes of the 90 left. A lovely feathered pass by Morgan Gibbs-White to Callum Hudson-Odoi and a deceptive near post finish. The curious part of this is City – so much of the ball but no real urgency and intensity to overwhelm Forest. There is still a bit of time left.
Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates his dramatic late goal.
Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates his dramatic late goal. Credit: Chris Radburn/Reuters
2:17PM
87 min: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0
Forest substitution Taiwo Awoniyi replaces the goalscorer Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Incidentally, it looks like his shot from the goal took a slight deflection off Gvardiol, almost a block tackle. But the ball didn’t really deviate as a result and Ederson should certainly have saved it.
2:15PM
85 min: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0
Almost a second for Forest! Wood has a shot on the turn very well blocked by Khusanov in the area, though it looked like Wood had a better option coming up in support.
I think Hudson-Odoi was booked for his celebration.
2:12PM
Goal!
83 min: Nottm Forest 1 Man City 0 (Hudson-Odoi) The City Ground has gone berserk! Callum Hudson-Odoi has put Forest ahead after a bad mistake from Ederson.
The move started with a sweet 70-yard crossfield pass from Gibbs-White to Hudson-Odoi, who has just moved over to the right wing after the substitution of Elanga. Hudson-Odoi ran into the area, moved outside Gvardiol and forced a shot that beat Ederson at the near post.
At first it was hard to work out what had happened because it was hard to see how Ederson could be beaten at the near post from that angle. Replays confirmed Ederson was perfectly positioned but could only help the ball into the net as he thrust out his left hand.
2:09PM
80 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Forest substitution Ibrahim Sangare replaces Anthony Elanga, a pragmatic change that suggests Forest won’t be unhappy with a draw.
2:07PM
78 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
De Bruyne’s free-kick is too straight and held comfortably by the crouching Selz.
2:05PM
77 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Marmoush is fouled just outside the area by Yates, who is booked. This is a chance for City…
Ryan Yates fouls Omar Marmoush.
Ryan Yates fouls Omar Marmoush. Credit: DARREN STAPLES/AFP
2:05PM
75 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Doku plays a neat one-two with De Bruyne on the edge of the Forest area. Milenkovic reads the play well and comes across to make an important challenge.
City are having a good spell here.
2:01PM
72 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
A loose ball breaks to De Bruyne, who curls wide from 15 yards with his left foot. He was under pressure but it was still a decent chance.
Kevin De Bruyne shoots wide.
Kevin De Bruyne shoots wide. Credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images
1:58PM
70 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Forest substitution Ryan Yates comes on for Nicolas Dominguez and takes the armband from Morgan Gibbs-White.
1:58PM
69 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Double substitution for City Omar Marmoush and Kevin De Bruyne replaces Savinho and Phil Foden.
After a quiet first half, both teams are now playing as if there no points for a draw.
1:56PM
67 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Stunning save by Ederson! Hudson-Odoi cuts into the area from the left, dummies a couple of defenders and rifles a shot through the crowd towards the far corner. Ederson sees it at the last minute and somehow gets down to his left to fingertip it onto the post. That’s one of the saves of the season.
1:55PM
66 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
A football match is threatening to break out at the City Ground.
After a first half of limited entertainment, the second half is far more open with Forest displaying more attacking intent.
Morgan Gibbs-White, the Forest captain, is becoming more influential.
Jeremy Doku has switched from the left to the right to try and test Wales international Neco Williams.
Pep Guardiola watches on anxiously.
Pep Guardiola watches on anxiously. Credit: Chris Radburn/Reuters
1:54PM
66 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
At the other end Savinho’s shot from 15 yards is blocked by Milenkovic, an even better piece of defending.
Savinho’s shot is blocked.
Savinho’s shot is blocked. Credit: Lee Smith/Action Images via Reuters
1:54PM
65 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Dominguez finds Gibbs-White, who runs a backpedalling defence and cracks a left-foot shot from 20 yards that is really well blocked by the lunging Khusanov. He’s starting to show the qualities that made City want him.
1:53PM
64 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Ruben Dias, wandering forward in open play, has a shot from 20 yards that is comfortably saved by Selz. It feels like a goal is coming at one end or another.
1:52PM
63 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Dominguez’s excellent cross bounces across the face and is cleared by Lewis. Forest are attacking with greater intensity and speed in the second half.
1:50PM
62 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Double substitution for City Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic replace Matheus Nunes and Nico Gonzalez, who are both on yellow cards.
1:49PM
59 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
This hasn’t been an entertaining game, but the stakes and contrast in styles make it genuinely intriguing.
Nico Gonzalez, on a yellow card, stops a Forest break with a foul on Elanga. Careful now.
1:46PM
56 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
A City corner is headed down by Haaland to Bernardo Silva, whose shot from the edge of the area is blocked. Forest break through Gibbs-White, who wins a 51:49 with Nunes and is brought down. A clear yellow card.
1:41PM
52 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Anderson wins a corner for Forest, who have started the second half well. Elanga takes, Gibbs-White heads wide in front of the near post.
1:38PM
49 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Dominguez is able to continue. He’s moving a little gingerly but seems to be okay.
1:37PM
48 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Elanga’s very deep cross is volleyed towards goal by Dominguez and saved comfortably by Ederson. It was a lovely effort from a tight angle – but he has injured himself in the process.
1:35PM
46 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
City begin the second half. No substitutions.
1:30PM
Half-time verdict
Finely balanced contest, with Manchester City edging it on possession and chances.
Nuno Espirito Santo will be satisfied with the defensive performance but his Forest team are arguably showing the champions too much respect.
Forest are at their best when on the front foot with wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga attacking full-backs with speed.
City’s Phil Foden has looked menacing and it still appears that the personal battle between Jeremy Doku and Ola Aina will be pivotal.
1:19PM
HT: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
A scrappy, slightly laboured first half ends goalless. Manchester City had the better openings, with Nico Gonzalez hitting the outside of the post from long range, but there was very little in it.
Nico Gonzalez hit the post early on for Man City.
Nico Gonzalez hit the post early on for Man City. Credit: Getty Images/Sportsphoto/Allstar
1:16PM
43 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
One shot on target leads to another. Selz’s long kick clears the City defence and is met by Wood, who tries a half-volleyed chip on the run from 20 yards. He doesn’t get enough on it and Ederson makes a comfortable save.
1:14PM
43 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
The first shot on target comes from Doku, who dummies Aina and Dominguez beautifully before rifling a low drive from 25 yards. Selz gets down to his right to make a comfortable save.
1:12PM
39 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Anderson wins the ball off Foden but then follows through and whacks him in the shin. Had he caught Foden with his studs rather than the side of the foot he would have been sent off. It wasn’t a great challenge either way.
Play continues and Gibbs-White slices well wide from the edge of the area after a good pick-out by Hudson-Odoi.
1:10PM
38 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
City are managing Forest’s counter-attacks very well. They’ve been susceptible in transition for most of the season but have looked a bit better since Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico Gonzalez came into the team.
1:06PM
35 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Foden finds some space on the left and slides a precise cutback towards Bernardo Silva on the edge of the area. He smashes a first-time shot over the bar.
1:04PM
33 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Nico Gonzalez is dispossessed by Dominguez, then brings him down and is booked.
Elanga’s free-kick just evades the sliding Gibbs-White at the far post. Gvardiol seemed to get a touch on the ball but a goalkick was given.
Josko Gvardiol challenges Morgan Gibbs-White.
Josko Gvardiol challenges Morgan Gibbs-White. Credit: Mike Egerton/PA
1:03PM
31 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Chance for City Foden plays a give-and-go with Gvardiol in the area and sweeps a shot that is blocked by Dominguez. Replays suggest it was going well wide, which makes it a missed opportunity for City.
1:01PM
29 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Never mind the first goal – the first shot on target could be crucial. So far it’s 0-0 on both counts.
Erling Haaland is yet to hit the target.
Erling Haaland is yet to hit the target. Credit: Catherine Ivill /AMA
12:58PM
27 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Gibbs-White is booked for a tactical foul on Doku.
12:57PM
25 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Pep Guardiola watches on from the sidelines.
Pep Guardiola watches on from the sidelines. Credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images
12:55PM
23 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Khusanov, who has been increasingly impressive since that nightmare start against Chelsea, nips in front of Wood to clear a potentially dangerous long pass. City have handled Wood well so far.
12:53PM
21 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
As John says, the first goal feels especially important in this game. City look the likelier scorers at the moment, though Forest carry a threat on the counter-attack and from set-pieces.
12:50PM
18 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Forest are the masters of low possession this season and are perfectly happy for City to keep the ball.
The only issue with this strategy against teams packed with talent like City is that it depends massively on Forest scoring the first goal.
Forest effectively play like an away team, waiting patiently to break quickly on the counter-attack.
City have been the more dangerous team so far.
Morgan Gibbs-White is challenged by Matheus Nunes.
Morgan Gibbs-White is challenged by Matheus Nunes. Credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images
12:48PM
16 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Hudson-Odoi’s cross is miscontrolled by Wood, unmarked 10 yards out. At first it looked like a missed opportunity but replays showed he was offside.
12:46PM
14 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Nico Gonzalez hits the post! That was a lovely effort, fizzed towards goal from 25 yards. Selz probably had it covered as he dived to his right and it pinged off the outside of the post.
12:42PM
10 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
A lovely cross from Savinho is headed away well at the far post by Aina. Haaland was waiting behind him and would have had a simple header from four yards.
After a slow start, City are beginning to dictate the play.
Savinho runs at the Forest left-back Neco Williams.
Savinho runs at the Forest left-back Neco Williams. Credit: Chris Radburn/Reuters
12:40PM
8 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Chris Wood drops very deep to collect the ball, only to miss his kick and give it to Haaland. He drags an early right-foot shot from 20 yards that rolls just wide of the far post. There might have been a slight deflection but a goalkick was given.
12:38PM
6 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Forest have made a strong start, with most of the early exchanges taking place in the City half. It’s a simple gameplan: try to score early and then pick City off on the break.
12:36PM
4 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
Huge applause and a rendition of “Psycho” here at the City Ground for Stuart Pearce in the third minute.
Nottingham Forest’s legendary left-back suffered a health scare on a flight back from Las Vegas and has been transferred to a hospital in Canada.
Nice touch from the home supporters.
12:35PM
3 min: Nottm Forest 0 Man City 0
A loose pass from Nunez goes behind for an early Forest corner. Elanga’s inswinger is headed away at the near post.
[On Forest] If you are third after 11 games it’s okay but if you are third with 11 games to go it means you have done many good things home and away. We know they feel stronger at home. They have quality in the front four, physicality and great spirit; they’re a top side.
Of course it’s an important game but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if we don’t qualify for the Champions League. How many years have Manchester City been in the Champions League? Ten, eleven? Before that, never ever. Of course it’s really important but … Liverpool were not in the Champions League last season and look at them now.
We will try until the last second, that’s for sure.
A key battle today will be between Erling Haaland and Murillo.
Haaland scored the winner in Manchester City’s win at Tottenham last month after recently returning from a knee injury.
Murillo is emerging as one of the most highly regarded young centre-backs in the Premier League and will be relishing the challenge against superstars like Haaland.
Another intriguing contest will be Jeremy Doku and Ola Aina.
Pep Guardiola name-checked Forest’s attacking full-back Aina in his press conference on Friday and the speed of Doku will represent a major test to the Nigerian international.
These two teams could not have more different approaches: Forest live for counter-attacks, while City need the ball like oxygen. That is reflected in the average possession stats for this season’s Premier League.
Nottm Forest 39.6% (20th out of 20)
Man City 60.6% (1st out of 20)
12:01PM
Marmoush was on Forest’s radar
Omar Marmoush is on Manchester City’s bench, yet he could easily have been lining up for the home team today.
Marmoush emerged as a serious target for Forest in the final week of the summer transfer window but his former club Eintracht Frankfurt refused to sell.
City then completed a £59m deal for the Egypt international in January, and he has made a solid start.
Forest have not done too badly without him, though, with Chris Wood proving a revelation under Nuno Espirito Santo this season.
Omar Marmoush was the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest last summer.
Omar Marmoush was the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest last summer. Credit: Mike Egerton/PA
Pivotal game in the race for the Champions League at the City Ground today.
That above paragraph is one that Nottingham Forest fans cannot possibly have expected to read before the season started, yet here they are.
Forest have occupied the top four for 77 days and are currently above Pep Guardiola’s champions in the table.
City will climb above Forest with a win, though, and Guardiola’s teams always ramp it up towards the business end of the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders with Forest.
Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders with Forest. Credit: Mike Egerton/PA
Pep Guardiola has offered no guarantees Jack Grealish will be at Manchester City next season – but insists the midfielder will be judged on his match performances rather than off-the-field behaviour.
Grealish, City’s £100 million record signing, was pictured on social media at drinking spots with friends in Manchester and the North East during his time off after last week’s FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle, although Guardiola says his assessment of players comes from training sessions and matches.
Guardiola has recently stated that his squad next season will be bigger than usual and based on players who can cope physically with the demands of playing three games a week to compete in the Premier League and Champions League.
With England looking to qualify for the World Cup next year, Grealish will need regular first-team football to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans after being dropped for the last Euros.
“I understand all the frustrations of all my players,” said Guardiola. “It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup and the European Championship with his national team. I’d be concerned if it was otherwise.
Nottm Forest team news
Nuno Espirito Santo sticks with the starting XI that drew 0-0 with Arsenal ten days ago.
Pep Guardiola makes two changes from City’s last league game, an impressive 1-0 win at Tottenham. Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden return in place of Mateo Kovacic and Omar Marmoush, who will have the company of Jack Grealish among others on the bench.
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