Bernardo Silva’s first-half goal was canceled out by a late Chris Wood equalizer as City had to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Referee: Graham Scott
Manchester City gave Arsenal the initiative in the Premier League title race as they drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
A plethora of missed chances plagued the champions, who put Bernardo Silva ahead in the first half, but Chris Wood struck a late equalizer for Tricky Trees to keep City behind Arsenal in the Premier League.
It was no surprise that the champions dominated the game from the start and held Forest, but clear chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes with Erling Braut Haaland again absent.
As City struggled to create clear chances, Forest was content to flick the ball forward on the break, which Danilo duly did for Brennan Johnson in the 25th minute, but the Welshman – who was alone in command – was able to get his shot just play harmless pull out.
Kevin De Bruyne also shot wide of the post as City’s pass failed them, but just two minutes after sending a speculative shot wide, Silva drew the first blood.
The Portugal international received the ball from Jack Grealish on the edge of the box in the 41st minute and his first shot went over Keylor Navas and into the top of the net. The Costa Rican keeper took a slight step to the right and couldn’t adjust in time to stop Silva’s center shot.
Silva’s goal was no more than City – albeit a waste of City – deserved and Forest goalkeeper Navas somehow held the game 1-0 eight minutes into the second half, denying the days to Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Close.
Clearly unhappy with his side’s 1-0 lead, Pep Guardiola was booked after furiously protesting an unpunished attack by Joe Worrall on Haaland in the box, and the latter was blamed for an unusual lack of scare in the 67th minute made.
After hitting the post with a volley, the normally disciplined Haaland fired the rebound from six yards out and Ilkay Gundogan was agonizingly close to doubling the Citizens’ lead in the 73rd minute, but Navas leveled his free-kick.
In the end, Guardiola was right to worry about his side’s one-goal lead, as in the 84th minute Wood – who had been a substitute just five minutes earlier – almost stayed in the game to smash a Morgan Gibbs cross – White at the back post.
City failed in the short time remaining to force a late winner into second place behind Arsenal, who are two points clear with a game in hand and the champions are now preparing for the Champions League round of 16 first leg. Draw on Wednesday against RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Forest have jumped a spot to 13th after recording their eighth straight home game unbeaten in the Premier League and Steve Cooper’s side are now preparing to face West Ham United next Saturday.
Lineups:
Keylor Navas, Serge Aurier, Joe Worrall (C), Felipe, Renan Lodi, Danilo, Jack Colback, Remo Freuler, Jack Colback, Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Neco Williams, Harry Toffolo, Orel Mangala, Gustavo Scarpa, André Ayew, Sam Surridge, Emmanuel Dennis, Chris Wood
Manchester City:
Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Ikay Gundogan, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Folden
Substitutes: Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Nathan Aké, Julián Álvarez, Sergio Gómez, Manuel Akanji, Riyad Mahrez, Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis
Scorers:
85′ Chris Wood
41′ Bernardo Silva
Bookings:
Man Of the Match : Kevin De Bruyne