Haaland shows the clinical edge Forest so desperately crave
Nottm Forest 0
Manchester City 2 Gvardiol 32, Haaland 71
Welcome back Erling Haaland, and these are the moments that prove pivotal in both the title race and relegation battle.
With one finish of brutal simplicity, Haaland made an immediate impact on his return to Manchester City’s team to underline how the predatory instincts of a forward can prove the difference in tight contests.
After missing the past two games with injury, Haaland needed only one chance to move back into pole position for the Golden Boot and ensure City maintain the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
It was not a comfortable afternoon for the champions. They suffered an injury scare to goalkeeper Ederson, who departed the stadium with his arm in a sling, after being taken off at half-time due to a shoulder injury.
Manager Pep Guardiola admitted the initial verdict from medical staff did “not look good” and Ederson will undergo a scan today.
Yet Haaland’s 21st league goal of the season was the standout moment. It was ruthless and clinical: everything that Nottingham Forest lacked here as they failed to capitalise on a jaded performance from the visitors.
Taking the ball from Kevin De Bruyne just outside the penalty area, Haaland weaved inside and eluded Forest defender Murillo before planting the ball into the bottom corner.
That finish was in stark contrast to Forest’s leading scorer Chris Wood. He has been transformed since the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo, but was left to reflect on two golden opportunities wasted in front of goal.
But Haaland just makes goalscoring look easy. “It’s an important win, it does not matter how we do it, and it is good to be back,” he said.
“We knew it was going to be a fight, and the pitch was not the easiest to play on but we cannot complain. I think the most important thing [in the title race] is to not think, especially in these moments, take it day by day. Honestly, if you overthink you are going to be crazy in your head, so relax and enjoy.”
It was far from vintage from the champions, in Guardiola’s 300th Premier League match, but this is the time when City always seem to do just enough.
At times, it felt like their 300th game of the season. After a trip down to Brighton on Thursday, Guardiola had justifiable complaints over fixture congestion.
When City are slightly off their rhythm – they clearly missed the menace of Phil Foden, absent through illness – the opposition have to take their chances, and Forest simply could not.
“This game was dangerous and I knew it would be like that, but we responded well,” Guardiola said. “The most important thing is the result, today the performance was not really good. Qualification for the Champions League is the most important target and we’ve done it with four games left. Big congratulations to the club and players.”
While City remain in the hunt for a fourth successive title, Forest are still desperately looking over their shoulder at the bottom three. After last week’s remarkable response to defeat at Everton, which has resulted in a Premier League investigation, here, under the watchful eye of owner Evangelos Marinakis, they could blame only themselves.
With three games remaining, the tension is building. On Saturday, they travel to the already relegated Sheffield United in what feels like a huge encounter.
While they were organised and resilient, it was perhaps no surprise that they conceded the opening goal from a set-piece. The theme from Jaws would be an apt soundtrack whenever a dead ball is near Forest’s penalty area.
With defender Neco Williams off receiving treatment, Josko Gvardiol reacted quicker than Murillo at the near post to head De Bruyne’s corner past Matz Sels.
Forest did have chances in the first half, Wood failing to connect with a cross from substitute Gonzalo Montiel, while Murillo somehow flicked the ball on to the top of the crossbar and over from two yards out after Ederson spilt Callum Hudson-odoi’s corner.
It was Ederson’s last contribution, with Stefan Ortega replacing the City goalkeeper at half-time.
Forest remained a threat, and Wood squandered another chance when his shot was blocked from close range by Gvardiol.
Haaland was introduced just after the hour mark and did not take long to make an impression. City have now gone 31 games unbeaten in all competitions and Arsenal, a point ahead but having played one game more, just cannot relax.
Nottingham Forest (5-2-3) Sels 7; Williams 6 (Montiel 35), Boly 8 (Sangare 84), Murillo 6 (Omobamidele 74), Niakhate 6, Aina 7; Danilo 6 (Yates 74), Gibbs-white 6; Elanga 5 (Reyna 74), Wood 5, Hudson-odoi 6. Subs Turner (g), Toffolo, Origi, Ribeiro.
Manchester City (4-1-4-1) Ederson 6 (Ortega h-t); Walker 7, Akanji 7, Ake 7, Gvardiol 8; Rodri 7; Doku 5 (Kovacic h-t), Bernardo 6, De Bruyne 8 (Nunes 89), Grealish 6 (Haaland 62); Alvarez 6 (Bobb 89). Subs Carson (g), Stones, Gomez, Lewis. Referee Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att 29,677.