Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City missed a golden opportunity to make their midweek win over title rivals Arsenal count after the holding Premier League champions slipped to a 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Man City concede a late equalizer at Nottingham Forest and go two points behind Arsenal 😮 pic.twitter.com/mQ7eZbEqNs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 18, 2023
City took command of the league table just days ago thanks to a 3-1 win over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after the Gunners’ errors at the Emirates came home to roost, with the champions showing their quality away from the Etihad, but that same quality failed to respond to the 4-2 comeback win that Arteta’s men fought for at lunchtime at Villa Park, after on-loan striker Chris Wood came off the bench in the second half to find the equalizer just minutes before added time.
Guardiola’s troops were as dominant as ever, with over 70% of the ball while generating 23 shots come full-time, but their dominance did not translate into goals in a way the league is so accustomed to seeing from this side, even as recent as before the World Cup break.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Man City
Wood you believe it, more late drama in the title race. #NFOMCI pic.twitter.com/2X5eZOfQNj
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) February 18, 2023
Star striker Erling Haaland missed a guilt-edged chance from inside 10-yards and a chance to give City a 2-0 lead they otherwise certainly deserved on the balance of play. But all it takes is one off day to have knock-on-effects in a league as competitive as the Premier League, with City’s inability to find the killer instinct that has led them to four titles across the last five seasons came back to haunt them, and they now find themselves back on the hunt against an Arsenal side that now has a multiple-points lead along with a match in hand.
📰 Table Of Contents
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
- GK: Keylor Navas – 7
- RB: Serge Aurier – 7
- CB: Joe Worrall – 6.5
- CB: Felipe – 7.5
- LB: Renan Lodi – 6
- RCM: Remo Freuler – 6
- CM: Jonjo Shelvey – 6
- LCM: Jack Colback – 6.5
- RAM: Morgan Gibbs-White – 7
- LAM: Danilo – 6.5
- CF: Brennan Johnson – 6.5
- Sub: Andrè Ayew – 6
- Sub: Neco Williams – 6
- Sub: Orel Mangala – 6.5
- Sub: Harry Toffolo – 6
- Sub: Chris Wood – 7
Manchester City Player Ratings
- GK: Ederson – 6
- RB: Kyle Walker – 7.0
- CB: Ruben Días – 6.5
- CB: Aymeric Laporte – 6
- LB: Bernardo Silva – 7.5
- CM: Rodri – 7
- CM: Ilkay Gündogan – 7
- CAM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5
- RW: Phil Foden – 7
- LW: Jack Grealish – 7
- CF: Erling Haaland – 5.5
- Sub: Julián Álvarez – 6
- Sub: Nathan Aké – 6
Expert Takes & Social Media
THE CITY GROUND ERUPTS!
Nottingham Forest are level against the Champions!
📺: @peacock #MyPLMorning | #NFOMCI pic.twitter.com/MD1mpR3t6G— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 18, 2023
Nottingham Forest doing the Lord’s work. Tears in my eyes 😭 pic.twitter.com/MKl03xXO31
— Le African Gooner (@leafricangooner) February 18, 2023
NOTTINGHAM FOREST, GIGANTIC CLUB!
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) February 18, 2023
MAN CITY DROP TWO POINTS AWAY TO NOTTINGHAM FOREST! 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/CyKfmjwGwb
— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) February 18, 2023
Erling Haaland’s stats against Nottingham Forest:
Touches: 17
Big chances missed: 2
Hit woodwork: 1
Aerial duels: 0#NFOMCI pic.twitter.com/dLve65o99P— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) February 18, 2023
Chris Wood scores his first ever goal against Manchester City, in his 11th game against them.
Scenes at the City Ground. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uX8iZFt3Q8
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 18, 2023
Morgan Gibbs-White’s game by numbers vs Manchester City:
31 touches
5 possession won
3 duels won
2 tackles made
1 shot
1 chance created
1 assistOnly 6 players have more assists than him in the league this season. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/5JaBJ9ULud
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 18, 2023
Keylor Navas’ game by numbers vs. Manchester City:
58 touches
10 long balls completed
5 saves
2 saves from inside the boxShowing his class. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/SfysAYC0nO
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 18, 2023
Felipe’s game by numbers vs. Manchester City:
100% tackles won
45 touches
10 clearnaces
5/6 ground duels won
4 interceptions
4 ball recoveries
3/4 aerial duels wonRock at the back. 🪨 pic.twitter.com/0maTUAjpgk
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 18, 2023
