0'
Our referee for today is Simon Hooper, and he will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long. Our fourth official is Thomas Bramall.
0'
Man City: 31 Ederson
2 K. Walker
6 N. Aké
25 M. Akanji
24 J. Gvardiol
17 K. De Bruyne
10 J. Grealish
20 Bernardo Silva
16 Rodri
11 J. Doku
19 J. Álvarez. Replacements: 27
Matheus Nunes
82
R. Lewis
9
E. Haaland
5
J. Stones
52
O. Bobb
8
M. Kovačić
18
S. Ortega
33
S. Carson
21
Sergio Gómez.
0'
Notts Forest: 26 M. Sels
30 W. Boly
43 O. Aina
19 M. Niakhaté
7 N. Williams
40 Murillo
10 M. Gibbs-White
28 Danilo
11 C. Wood
14 C. Hudson-Odoi
21 A. Elanga. Replacements: 20
G. Reyna
37
Rodrigo Ribeiro
27
D. Origi
6
I. Sangaré
22
R. Yates
32
A. Omobamidele
1
M. Turner
15
H. Toffolo
29
G. Montiel.
0'
Forest have Boly and Awoniyi carrying injuries, but Boly is in the starting XI. City's Golden Boot star Erling Haaland is again struggling with a niggle… but he has made the subs bench, just in case City need an injury-time hat-trick.
0'
City have won four and drawn one of their last five games as they pressed back up to the edge of the top of the table. After drawing 0-0 with Arsenal, City beat Villa 4-1, Crystal Palace 4-2, Luton 5-1 and Brighton 4-0. A total of 17 goals scored and just for conceded in four matches is not the next-best opponent for relegation-threatened Forest. But let's see what the afternoon presents before jumping to conclusions.
0'
Forest have won just won of their last five games, drawing two and losing two. They drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace, beat Fulham 3-1 and lost 3-1 to Spurs. Next up was a 2-2 draw with Wolves followed by a 2-0 loss against fellow relegation-battlers Everton, who have now ensured their survival.
0'
Current form, however, does now bode well for Forest.
0'
The two teams hadn't met for over a decade while Forest were working their way back up to the top tier of English football. Last season City hammered Forest 6-0 at the Etihad before being held to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground. Back in September at the start of this season, City put two past Forest at the Etihad without reply.
0'
If City win today, then they control the race to the title. If they then win their next three games (or at least match Arsenal and Liverpool's performances), then the title is theirs. If they draw then Arsenal hold the title in their hands… unless City can make up an eight-goal deficit against Arsenal. A loss to Notts will keep fans on the edge of their seats for the last few weeks of the season.
0'
Man City hold the defence of their Premier League title in their hands. They are one point behind leaders Arsenal, but have a game in hand. City are a point above Liverpool but have two matches in hand over them… so the Kloppites might feel like they are out of the title racer… but if you haven't learned by now, the scary truth is that you can never take anything for granted in the Premier League.
0'
Forest is the only team above the drop-zone, so they will throw everything at City in the hope of pulling off a win or a draw. Worst case is to come out of the match with some confidence after putting on a good display, in which case, they will be well set for the fight to the relegation death.
0'
Notts Forest are one point below the drop zone, but they have a game in hand. Sadly, that game is against the defending champions Man City, who are in second place on the table this season. Notts Forest are one point ahead of Luton and two ahead of Burnley… and after today there will be three matches left, so it's going to be a fight to the wire.
0'
Good afternoon, and welcome to The City Ground in Nottingham for our live coverage of the English Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
1'
KICK-OFF! We're underway with the first half of… hold on, Forest stream down the left and then into the box, Aina down the left and crossing for Williams on the edge of the six-yard box… but he fluffs his shot and Cit's defence breathes deep. There was a defender in front of him though. Wow… fiesty first 30 seconds.
3'
City press up and win a corner but Forest clear and counter upfield but don't make it to the City box this time. Welcome to the Premier League everyone, where you must expect the unexpected!
5'
Normal service resumes as City press forward, passing, passing across the field, looking for gaps… Grealish to Gvardiol and onto De Bruyne… he pushes the ball into the gap in the box but it's too hard and out for a goal-kick.
7'
Forest with the ball down the left deep into the City half… but a loose pass gifts City possession, and they start passing, passing, passing…
9'
CLOSE! Forest sneak the ball from City but the visitors steal it back and De Bruyne is released into the box, he turns the defender and shoots, but Sels palms his effort away for a corner. Good save… City blown for a foul at the corner and Forest clear.
10'
FOUL! Great work from Aina, pulling in from the left and towards the box, where Doku brings him down. Free-kick is a couple of steps from the D and just outside the line of City's left post (depending which was you look at it!).
11'
Wood hits his free-kick well, but it just doesn't dip down in time and Ederson pulls his hand away.
12'
City press upfield and win a free-kick close to the right edge of the box… De Bruyne whips it into the front of the six-yard box, but Murillo is in to header away strongly from a dangerous position. City mess up the corner, but the ball is won back and fed to Doku, who pulls the trigger, but his effort curls just wide of the far post.
14'
Forest drive forward up the right, Williams pulls into the box and smacks a shot on goal, but Ederson has strong hands at the near post to beat it away for a corner.
16'
Forest's corner causes problems for Ederson, Murillo rising high to try and get a hed to it, but he puts Ederson off, the ball is fumbled, hacked free, chipped back into the box and Ederson and Boly clash hard as the Forest man leaps towards Ederson as he looks to catch the cross, both players going down in agony. They are soon repaired, with City getting a free-kick for shirt-pulling.
18'
City press forward but can't find a way through the forest of Forest defenders. Won't use that again for the next hour, promise. City keep pressing but Doku ends up unable to control the ball and it's out for a Forest goal-kick.
20'
Forest with some good passing, they push forward and a good ball over the top offers the potential to control the ball and have a shot on goal, but the bounce is bad and Ederson leaps to collect it.
22'
FOUL! Grealish is bundled over near the edge of the box, City with a free-kick which De Bruyne drives hard but it knocks Boly over… but the Forest man is up and continues after a few heavy shakes of the head.
24'
City push forward again, a long ball crossfield finds Doku, who uses his wiles to win an attacking throw.
26'
City look to drive forward but great work from Wood wins Forest the ball and they push back on City, but only briefly as the champions reclaim the ball.
28'
PLAYED! Forest drive up again, passing well, the cross comes into the box and there's a good header near the six-yard box but it flashes over the post.
30'
City back on the ball up in Forest's second and causing problems, a good block at the byline by WIlliams sees him pull a leg muscle and he's down for a good two minutes before limping off.
33'
GOAL, MAN CITY, GVARDIOL! 0-1; De Bruyne's corner finds Gvardiol by the near post and he slams an unstoppable header past Sels from close range. Great start from City.
35'
SUBSTITUTION, NOTTS FOREST. Williams' place is take by Montiel.
37'
Forest press forward twice from the left… and a third time, Aina crosses, it's played back in by Montiel to Wood, on the six-yard line in front of goal, but he scuffs it, hardly gets leather on leather, and a golden opportunity is wasted by Forest again.
39'
Alvarez with a good run forward, his cross in is just too high for… Silva, and Forest can clear.
42'
City push forward but Forest deny them access and send them back to their half.
44'
Good run by Forest up into the City half, Walker left for dead after hurting his foot, but the ball runs out for a throw.
45'
HALF-TIME, NOTTS FOREST 0-1 MAN CITY. City are looking strong in the midfield and on attack, but they've had plenty of shaky moments at the back as Forest have attacked with gusto, albeit without enough polish. City look like they have plenty of goals in them if Forest tire… but Forest also look like they have a couple of goals in them. Plenty of action to look forward to in the second half!
45'
+3 - Forest push forward well again but the City defence holds firm… and there's the half-time whistle.
45'
+2 - SO CLOSE! Forest's corner comes in low and hard to the near post, Ederson fluffs his clearance punch and the ball spins down but quick City feet flick the ball over the crossbar.
45'
Four minutes of added time it signalled. Forest pour forward, passing well and forcing a corner.
46'
SUBSTITUTIONS, MAN CITY. City with two changes at half-time… Doku and Ederson making way for Ortega and Kovacic.
46'
KICK-OFF! The second-half is underway here at Villa Park, with City leading 1-0.
47'
GROUNDHOG DAY! MISSED AGAIN! Elanga set through to the City box by Aina… he beats Walker and scuttles in a perfect pass to Wood on the City six-yard box… the Forest striker flicks it on goal but with all the power of a baker scooping donuts off a hot tray… and City clear with relief. That really was a goal-den chance for Forest to level up.
49'
City push forward to the Forest box but lack conviction and Forest win the ball back and launch a counter-attack.
50'
WIDE! Forest push up, Wood sends a good ball into the box and Forest shoot, but it fizzes wide of the post.
51'
OFFSIDE! Hudson-Odoi chases from the halfway line onto a ball and is about to chip Ortega from just inside the City box, but Akanji is there to flick the ball away… and at that point the off-side flag is raised.
53'
City press up and cross for Silva, but Aina is there to steal the ball… and then he drives up the left wing and almost all the way up to the City box, but he has no-one to pass to and City reclaim the ball.
55'
Forest driving forward again, passing well, but not able to find that gap.
57'
FOUL! Boly catches Grealish a tough knock on the calf as the City man looked to press into the Forest half.
59'
Forest pressing hard and high on City… they want points and aren't going to go down without a fight.
60'
City press up, Gvardiol looks to shoot from the edge of the box but he's tackles by Forest who push up themselves… but there are a lot of City players blocking their path.
61'
SUBSTITUTION, MAN CITY. Grealish not happy to be pulled out of the action, but the good news for City fans is that their goal-monster Erling Haaland has taken Grealish's place.
62'
WIDE! De Bruyne slips a lovely ball through for Alvarez to chase onto… but he's running away from the goal and has to hit it with his weaker foot, so the shots floats over the top of he crossbar.
64'
Rodri wins the ball back well and passes to a team-mate and City press forward.
65'
City spreading the ball left to right, looking for their gap… Akanji thinks he has found it, but Montiel denies him access.
66'
City with a great drive forward but it's broken down and Forest stream up, Elanga getting a beautiful cross into the box but none of his team-mates are there.
68'
SHOT… SAVED!!!! De Bruyne finds himself in space a few metres short of the Forest box, he pull the trigger but Sels dives full length to palm it away with both hands. Superb save… but City have the corner.
69'
Forest head the corner clear and then press up in attack, driving well… but City reclaim the ball and look to push back into the Forest half, passing and passing as they try to draw their opponents out.
71'
GOAL, MAN CITY, HAALAND! 0-2; De Bruyne sends Haaland forward with a lovely pass, but Haaland has to twist and turn the Forest defender, until he sees his gap and side-foots it into the back of the net to go ahead in the Golden Boot race. That goal was so clinical you could eat off it.
73'
SUBSTITUTION, NOTTS FOREST. Danilo, Murillo and Elanga make way for Yates, Reyna and Omobamidele.
74'
Forest with the corner, played short then flashed in… off the head of a City player and it's deflected enough for Wood at the far post to be unable to get his feet around. He looked ungainly there, but I doubt even a Ronaldo could have found his feet in control of that ball.
76'
Forest pushing forward on the left, now they spread the ball across the field… passing… until Rodri catches Gibbs-White with a strong leg and Forest will have the free-kick.
78'
Free-kick is floated in, a bit too deep, it's hacked back into the box but Ortega is there to claim it.
79'
FOUL! De Bruyne is knocked hard to ground, landing on his shoulder and wrist. No medical attention but he's up and in a lot of pain.
80'
City press forward with Haaland into the box, but he has to pass wide, and now the visitors are passing and passing… drawing Forest out.
82'
City moving back and forth in waves, spreading the ball this way and that. Must be so frustrating for Forest. Now it's out wide to Walker, then flicked forward for Silva… Forest break up City's play after 90 seconds of passing, but City are back on the ball immediately and pushing forward.
83'
GREAT RUN FROM AINA, all along up to the City box chasing after the City passes, but he's on his own so City pass their way around him. Great passion though.
85'
SUBSTITUTION, FOREST. Boly is off and Sangare takes his place as Forest look for a last push to see if they can get something out of this match.
86'
Lovely passing from Forest around the City box but they just can't close the deal, City counter-attacking but it's broken down by Forest who push up again.
88'
Lovely floated ball into the box by Hudson-Odoi, the ball comes back to him and this time he tries to curl it into the top corner of the City goal, bit Ortega is quick to flap it away.
89'
SUBSTITUTION, MAN CITY. De Bruyne and Alvarez are replaced by Nunes and Bobb.
89'
Forest press back into the box, Alvarez bashes gently against a Forest player, there is a shout for a penalty, but nothing comes of it.
90'
Five minutes of added time to follow.
92'
Forest still trying to push forward… and they win a free-kick five minutes ahead of the centre circle… it's clipped into the box, but City head it to Ortega who takes control and then clears to his team-mates with a long ball upfield.
94'
City push upfield but Forest claim the ball back, but the clock is just running down… a last chance for Forest as they push upfield… but City steal the ball and push upfield… Kovacic to Haaland who drives into the box, but he slips and Forest get the ball… and there's the final whistle.
95'
FULL-TIME, NOTTS FOREST 0-2 MAN CITY. A powerful performance from City to take them back to one point behind leaders Arsenal but with a game in hand. For Forest the relegation battle remains red hot but they can take solace from some really gutsy play. They will rue a couple of golden chances. A good afternoon of football, hope you enjoyed following it with us.
Publications
Partners
