Guardiola thanks dry pitch for coming to champions’ rescue
NottinghamForest 0 Manchester City 2
PEP GUARDIOLA believes “incredibly fortunate” Manchester City were aided by the dry state of the City Ground pitch in their win over wasteful Nottingham Forest.
City reeled in Premier League leaders Arsenal as goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland at Forest reduced the gap to one point at the top with a game in hand, making themselves favourites for a fourth successive title.
It was far from their best performance, though, and were grateful to Forest for wasting four gilt-edged chances as Chris Wood missed two sitters and Neco Williams and Murillo also were denied from close range.
Guardiola said those opportunities were missed because the pitch was dry and the ball bounced high.
“It was really hard, harder than last season when we drew here,” the Spaniard said. “We knew before the game that was going to happen and we were so lucky and fortunate today that the pitch was so dry and high. With the chances they had with a better pitch condition they would have scored. We were incredibly fortunate for that.
“Nothing was wrong with the pitch. It was dry from the weather and the sun and that helped us.
“When we play at home we decide the way we play, when we play away we adapt. We were lucky that the chances they had they could not contact with the ball.”
The title race looks like going down to the wire, but it is in City’s hands and they know if they win all four of their remaining games they will be champions again.
“We prefer they [Arsenal] lose, we cannot control what they do, they make a good result,” Guardiola said.
“Four games left, I don’t think we can lose any points and we know exactly what we have to do.”
Goalkeeper Ederson left the City
Ground with a sling on after picking up a shoulder injury in a clash with Forest defender Moussa Niakhate.
Guardiola added: “He doesn’t look good, we will see in the morning with the doctor.”
Haaland, who came off the bench to score, said: “First of all it was an important win, that’s the most important thing. It doesn’t matter how we did it, it’s about winning and it’s good to be back.
“We know where they are in the league so we knew it was going to be a fight, and it’s not the easiest pitch to play on, but we can’t complain about that. It’s about winning and that’s exactly what we did. The most important thing is not to think in these moments. It’s about taking it day-by-day. Honestly, if you overthink it you’re going to be crazy in the head. Relax, enjoy, and go to the next one.”
Defeat for Forest, who cannot blame perceived VAR injustices this weekend, leaves them firmly in the mire, just a point above 18th-placed Luton with three games to go.
There remains an asterisk next to Forest’s name in the table, though, as they wait to hear the outcome of their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaking financial rules. That could happen early next week and manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants it resolved.
“We are all waiting on that decision, we are hoping that it is very soon so we can deal with the reality,” he said. “We don’t know exactly how many points we are on; 26, 28 or 30. Let’s wait and see. It will make a big difference. Not just for us, for everybody, all the league.”
He was pleased with his players’ performance against the champions.
“I think we played a good game. We were organised, compact, we had chances and I think we did a good job regarding the opponent and how hard it is to play against City.
“The players have given a big effort and thank you to the fans again. With this attitude and the way we played we can achieve what we want which is most important. We are disappointed with the result. With the good things we have done it could have been another result.”