Erling Haaland concludes Manchester City's victory at Nottingham Forest | first division

Manchester City knew a storm was coming, but they are masters at navigating hostile environments. Pep Guardiola's team was not even close to its best level, but it had moments of quality when the important thing was to remain silent. Nottingham Forest and keep the title going.

Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland had Kevin De Bruyne to thank for two fantastic assists as City had to bide their time to defeat a disciplined Forest side who were fighting for first division survival. The home team worked incredibly hard in their attempts to stop City and could have had a better day had it not been for a poor finish.

Forest's feeling of injustice spread through the City Ground long before kick-off. There were colorful chants directed at Premier League players Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, who had criticized his reaction to the defeat to Everton last week. In addition, there were banners scattered around the stands, one of which read: “The Premier League for the few, not for the many.” Naturally, every decision made against the home team was seen as incorrect by the home fans, wondering why a harmless clash between Ederson and Willy Boly did not merit a penalty, even though nothing resembling a foul occurred.

Given that Forest arrived with a clean sheet in their previous 23 games, Nuno Espírito Santo increased the level of caution, opting for a back five to try to stifle a team that had scored 17 in their last four league games. Nine red shirts could often be found camped on the edge of the woodland area, limiting the space in which City were allowed to play and affecting their pace.

City had dominated possession but only De Bruyne had tested Matz Sels in the first half hour until the Belgian scored a corner for Gvardiol to head home his third goal in five games after failing to find the net in his first 32 games with the club. It was a fine shot from a meter in front of the near post, requiring power and perfect direction, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance to react as Forest conceded their 23rd league goal from a set piece this season.

The overlapping full-backs was the key to Forest's attacking arsenal and should have brought them the equaliser. Substitute right back Gonzalo Montiel entered the area and volleyed a cross to an unmarked Chris Wood, who completely missed the ball despite being in a lot of space, he even had time for a touch, but his first shot, can be called So. , he haggled.

On the stroke of half-time there was another great chance when Ederson's attempt to hit a corner went back, giving Murillo the chance to head towards the empty goal from a few yards out, but the defender was looking the wrong way and off balance. Murillo tried to throw the ball towards the goal, but he brushed the crossbar and approached to remind Forest of the fine margins of football.

It was the last action for Ederson, who retired at half-time after succumbing to the injury suffered when colliding with Boly in the area. Stefan Ortega replaced the Brazilian and Mateo Kovacic replaced Jérémy Doku, who was ineffective in the first half and the Croatian offered the control that City failed to find in the first 45 minutes.

The city was fighting against the organization and energy produced by the forest. The passes and movements of Guardiola's men were below expectations as they looked for a second goal that would leave little room for the hosts, but Forest looked dangerous and caused problems on the counterattack, unable to find the necessary composure in the box.

Guardiola called Haaland from the bench to give Forest's three centre-backs something more to think about. Perhaps he felt the home team was tired, giving De Bruyne more space to work with. He was working between the lines and used Haaland as a decoy before aiming from 25 yards, but Sels was equal to the shot.

De Bruyne and Haaland, in front of his father, former Forest player Alf-Inge, combined shortly afterwards when the Belgian slid the ball to the striker outside the area. He took a couple of touches to beat Murillo, who had an excellent game but was clearly struggling with an injury, before firing Sels into the corner. City may not have been at their best, but with De Bruyne and Haaland on the pitch they had the quality to outwit an opponent in the blink of an eye.

Callum Hudson-Odoi forced Ortega into a spectacular save but it looked unlikely Forest would be able to claw back a two-goal deficit.

The visiting team burst into chants of “Champions again” as confidence grows that City will win their fourth successive victory. They showed in Nottingham that they have the know-how to overcome difficult games at the end of the season to maintain their favorites moniker.

Referee Simon Hooper had a great game and the VAR was not necessary for anything notable… in case you were wondering.