The fifth league treble in a row falls into the category of a workmanlike victory: Manchester City had problems for a long time in Nottingham, but the Skyblues’ individual class made the difference in the end. Man City thus remain hot on the heels of leaders Arsenal
Liverpool slipped up on matchday 35, Arsenal scored three times in a heated North London derby – meaning Manchester City had to follow suit as the third of the title contenders. However, coach Pep Guardiola was without Foden, who has scored eight goals in his last six league appearances but was now absent through illness, for the visit of 17th-placed Nottingham. Guardiola made two changes from the 4-0 win over Brighton in midweek. Grealish and Doku replaced Foden and Kovacic (bench) in the first eleven. Haaland was back on the bench after missing the last game due to muscular problems.
The highly-favored visitors had anything but an easy game right from the start. Nottingham acted boldly and got in front of Ederson’s goal for the first time in the first minute. The first real chance belonged to the Skyblues through De Bruyne’s shot, which Forest keeper Sels turned around the post (9′), but the home side had more and better chances overall in the first half
Nottingham fail to reward themselves
Gibbs-White with a free-kick over the crossbar (12′) or Williams with a shot to the near corner that was parried by Ederson (15′) made it dangerous for Nottingham. As expected, City had more possession, but the visitors lacked a sparkling idea in attack. A set-piece initially made the difference. Gvardiol headed a corner powerfully into the near corner to take the lead (32′)
However, Nottingham remained brave: Wood missed a really good opportunity in the five-yard box when he struck the ball over the top (38′). Shortly before the half-time whistle, Murillo flicked the ball just over the bar with his heel in a scramble following a corner (45.+3). An equalizer at the break would have been deserved.
The same was true of the first ten minutes of the second half. Wood again missed a really good opportunity standing in the five-yard box (47′), Hudson-Odoi flicked the ball past the goal (48′) and Gibbs-White aimed wide of the ManCity box (51′), which Ortega Moreno was now guarding for Ederson, who had been substituted at the break with an injury
Joker Haaland makes the difference
Shortly after the break, ManCity were on fire, but again Nottingham were not rewarded for their good phase. That was to take its revenge. The visitors got back into the game, with Haaland celebrating his comeback in the 62nd minute after a two-game absence. And just nine minutes later, the Norwegian made the difference.
De Bruyne sent the joker into the penalty area, Haaland outwitted Murillo and slotted past Forest keeper Sels to make it 2:0 (71′). After that, Nottingham were unable to get back into the game. Apart from a long-range shot from Hudson-Odoi, which Ortega Moreno wiped out of the far corner (87′), not much more happened. Instead, City were now confident on the ball again, nestled in their opponents’ half and brought the game to a controlled conclusion.
ManCity remain hot on the heels of league leaders Arsenal. The gap is just one point – and Guardiola’s team have one game less. Next week on Saturday, they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at home (18:30). Nottingham, who are still in danger of relegation, also have to play at bottom club Sheffield United on Saturday (4 p.m.).
