Football: Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Manchester City
A late goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi put a dent in City's bid to qualify for next season's Champions League
With just seven minutes remaining in an otherwise uneventful encounter, Hudson-Odoi sparked scenes of jubilation at the City Ground as he latched onto a superb Morgan Gibbs-White pass before beating Ederson at his near post.
The result delivered a major blow to Manchester City's hopes of securing a Champions League spot, as Pep Guardiola's side struggled to break down Nottingham Forest's resolute defence despite enjoying the better chances before half-time.
City's clearest opening of the first half came when Nico Gonzalez rattled the outside of Matz Sels' post with a powerful strike, but their attacking play often lacked the tempo and creativity needed to breach the hosts' backline.
Forest, sensing an opportunity, came out with more purpose after the break. Nico Dominguez volleyed a cross from Anthony Elanga straight at Ederson within moments of the restart, before Hudson-Odoi was denied by the City keeper's fingertips when his low drive was pushed onto the post midway through the half.
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Guardiola turned to his bench, introducing Kevin de Bruyne and Omar Marmoush in a bid to inject life into City's attack, but they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances. And just when the game seemed destined for a goalless draw, Hudson-Odoi delivered a moment of brilliance to snatch the points for Forest.
It marked City's ninth league defeat of a turbulent campaign – equalling their highest number of losses in a single season under Guardiola – and left them with work to do in their pursuit of European qualification.
Potentially a disaster of a season for Manchester City
Manchester City are more accustomed to chasing Premier League titles and Champions League glory at this stage of the season, but Pep Guardiola’s side now face a real risk of missing out on Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2010.
The visitors controlled possession and carved out the few meaningful chances in a subdued first half, but Erling Haaland couldn’t capitalise after dispossessing Chris Wood on the edge of the Forest box, while Nico Gonzalez blazed a powerful effort off target.
Guardiola’s frustration grew as the half progressed, with the City boss animatedly urging his players to inject more pace and urgency into their play — but his pleas largely fell on deaf ears.
City’s best chance after the break fell to Mateo Kovacic in stoppage time, but the Croatian’s fierce drive whistled just past the far post, summing up a frustrating evening for the champions.
They were ultimately undone eight minutes from time when Callum Hudson-Odoi fired in at Ederson’s near post. The City keeper managed to get a hand to it but couldn’t prevent the ball from sneaking in, leaving him visibly dejected.
It was the fifth time this season City have drawn a blank in a Premier League game, their highest tally without a goal in a single campaign since Guardiola’s first year in charge in 2016-17.
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