Premier League: Manchester City keeps its destiny in hand thanks to a great Erling Haaland

Manchester City takes another big step towards the title. If the Champions League is now out of reach for the Mancunian club, eliminated by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, the hope of concluding with a cup – championship double still exists (Manchester City will challenge Manchester United in the final of FA Cup). Already victorious over Brighton earlier in the week, Pep Guardiola’s players rode their current momentum by winning against Nottingham Forest this Sunday (0-2). Either, it was more laborious than against the Seagulls (4-0) or Luton (5-1), victims of the sadistic pleasure of the Cityzens to hit their opponents in recent days, but the essential is there.

Because it would not have been scandalous, far from it, to see Nottingham Forest leave this meeting with at least one point. Coming to defend their interests without bowing, the Garibaldis could have led from the start if Chris Wood had not decided to play room football in the air and blindfolded. The New Zealander could have opened the scoring with a header, his specialty, but lacked precision, which already announced the darkness of this evening. For their part, City didn’t have much to chew on, apart from an inconsistent attempt from Doku (13th). But the reigning champions finally relied on Gvardiol, scoring with a header on a serve from De Bruyne (32nd). Forest had the opportunity to come back thanks to Wood, again and again, but the 32-year-old striker was completely missed in front of the ready goal (38th).

Manchester City can give thanks to Haaland

Inflated, Nuno Espirito Santo’s players imposed several moments of heat on the cage of Ortega, who entered at the break to replace the injured Ederson. But again, Chris Wood was caught up by his cumbersome clumsiness (46th), in a sport where unfortunately for him, it is better to be skilled with his feet than with his hands. Elanga in turn had the opportunity to equalize but Aké, imperial from A to Z, made a comeback as a fireman on duty to slow him down (53rd). Bernardo Silva invisible, De Bruyne intermittent from the show… Guardiola then brought in Kovacic and Haaland… And the light came from the Norwegian.

Left in the fridge due to muscle pain at kick-off, the Cyborg embarked on a wild race after a serve from De Bruyne. He stared at Murillo, impeccable so far, devoured him with a shattering hook at the edge of the area, and deceived Sels with a right-footed strike (71st) for his 21st goal of the season in the Championship. Mass was said. Nottingham and Ola Aina were disgusted after 70 minutes of high quality. And there was plenty. Ortega sublimated himself one last time to disgust Hudson-Odoi (87th). With this defeat, Nottingham remains 17th, just 1 point behind Luton, the first to be relegated. Status quo at the top of the standings where Manchester City remains 2nd, one point behind Arsenal, but with a game in hand.