Chris Wood strike stings wasteful Manchester City to secure 1-1 draw for Nottingham Forest

The Premier League title race took another turn on Saturday as Manchester City failed to pick up all three points against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Bernardo Silva put Pep Guardiola’s side in front in the first half with a superb strike, but the visitors were made to rue their missed chances as Chris Wood finished off an incredible team move in the 84th minute to help Forest steal a point at home.

Manchester City hoped to build on their impressive away win at Arsenal against Nottingham Forest and lay down another marker in the race for the title.

The visitors went close to finding the opening goal in the first half, with Kevin de Bruyne letting loose from distance and Rodri’s header drifting inches wide off the post. The defending champions eventually broke the deadlock in the 41st minute of the game after Jack Grealish recycled the possession from a Foden corner and squared the ball to Bernardo Silva, who unleashed an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area into the roof of the net.

Pep Guardiola’s side carved out even better chances after the break to double their lead, but couldn’t find the final action needed to put the game to bed. Phil Foden fluffed his lines from a glorious 1v1 opportunity against goalkeeper Keylor Navas, while the Costa Rican also made a vital save from an Aymeric Laporte header.

City’s talisman Erling Haaland also failed to capitalise on an excellent opportunity to add to his goal tally, with the Norwegian missing two gilt-edged chances from close range to double the lead. Keylor Navas also made a fine fingertip save to deny Ilkay Gundogan from a free kick, and the visitors rued their profligacy as Nottingham Forest found a way back into the contest in the final five minutes.

Morgan Gibbs-White picked out Chris Wood at the back post after a flowing team move, and the New Zealand striker applied the finishing touches to score his first goal for the club in the 84th minute.

The visitors failed to manufacture any significant openings after the equaliser and were forced to settle for a point on their travels. This result sees Manchester City drop more points in the race for the title, leaving them two points behind Arsenal in second place, who have a game in hand on the defending champions.

Forest, meanwhile, jump to 13th in the table with 25 points, keeping their survival hopes intact in their first season back in the top flight.