Nottingham Forest Stun Manchester City with a Hard-Fought 1-0 Victory

Nottingham Forest pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over reigning champions Manchester City in the Premier League at The City Ground. The result not only cements Forest’s impressive defensive record this season but also raises further questions about City’s struggles in the campaign.

Forest’s Defensive Resilience Shines Again

With this win, Nottingham Forest have now secured 11 Premier League victories without conceding a goal this season—more than they managed in their previous two seasons combined (seven in 2022-23 and three in 2023-24). This remarkable defensive improvement has been key to their success in the current campaign.

City’s Struggles Continue Under Guardiola

On the other hand, Manchester City’s defeat marks their ninth Premier League loss of the season, equaling their worst tally in a single campaign under Pep Guardiola (previously nine in 2019-20). Additionally, they have now failed to score in four league matches this season, their second-worst tally under Guardiola after failing to find the net in five games during the 2016-17 season.

How the Match Unfolded

Despite dominating possession and creating more chances—producing 0.85 expected goals (xG)—City failed to break down a well-organized Forest defense.

The first half saw City nearly take the lead when Nico struck the post with a powerful long-range effort. In the second half, Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi forced a superb save from Ederson, who tipped his curling effort onto the woodwork to keep the score level.

However, Forest finally found the breakthrough when Hudson-Odoi drove into the penalty area and fired a near-post strike past Ederson, who was unable to keep it out this time. The home side managed just 0.62 expected goals, but executed manager Nuno Espírito Santo’s tactical plan to perfection.

City nearly snatched a late equalizer, with Mateo Kovacic volleying just wide from the edge of the box, but Forest held firm to secure a vital victory.

What’s Next?

With this crucial win, Nottingham Forest will look to build on their momentum as they travel to Ipswich for their next Premier League fixture. Meanwhile, Manchester City will aim to bounce back when they host Brighton, hoping to regain their rhythm in the title race.

This victory further highlights Forest’s remarkable defensive form, while City must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks in their campaign.