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Nottingham Forest delivered a major setback to Manchester City’s Champions League hopes as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late goal secured a 1-0 victory in a crucial top-four clash on Saturday.
City, enduring a frustrating season, are now scrambling for a Champions League spot, a scenario rarely seen in the Pep Guardiola era. This was their ninth league defeat of the season, leaving them vulnerable to dropping out of the top four for the first time in years.
With Chelsea just one point behind, City could slip to fifth place if the Blues overcome struggling Leicester on Sunday. While finishing fifth might still secure Champions League football, City’s uninspiring performances have cast doubt over their ability to hold on.
Meanwhile, third-placed Forest extended their lead over City to four points, strengthening their case for an unlikely return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 1981.
Before kick-off, Forest paid tribute to their former defender Stuart Pearce, who was recently hospitalized, with a “Get Well Soon Stuart” message displayed on the big screen in the third minute—a nod to his iconic No. 3 shirt.
The match itself began cautiously, with both sides struggling to impose themselves. City came closest in the first half when Josko Gvardiol’s pass found Phil Foden, whose shot was blocked by Nicolas Dominguez. Bernardo Silva later squandered an opportunity, opting for a wayward shot instead of setting up Erling Haaland.
Forest had their moments, with Anthony Elanga delivering a teasing cross to Dominguez, whose volley tested City goalkeeper Ederson. However, both sides lacked cutting edge in a sluggish first half.
Guardiola introduced Kevin De Bruyne, Omar Marmoush, Rico Lewis, and Mateo Kovacic in the second half, hoping to inject some urgency into City’s attack. However, Forest grew stronger as the game progressed.
Hudson-Odoi nearly broke the deadlock when his curling shot was pushed onto the post by Ederson. De Bruyne then forced a save from Matz Sels with a well-struck free-kick.
But in the 83rd minute, the City Ground erupted. Morgan Gibbs-White unlocked City’s defence with a pinpoint pass to Hudson-Odoi, who cut inside before smashing a brilliant shot past Ederson at his near post.
The goal proved decisive as Forest held on for a famous victory, leaving Guardiola’s side facing an anxious battle for Champions League qualification.
