Manchester City’s Champions League hopes suffered a blow as Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 win, thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s decisive strike. Despite Ederson conceding at his near post, Pep Guardiola defended his goalkeeper. With ten games left, City must regain form to secure European qualification.
Manchester City suffered a setback in their bid for a top-five Premier League finish after a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half goal secured the victory, slipping past Ederson at his near post. Despite the loss, manager Pep Guardiola defended his goalkeeper, refusing to place any blame on him.
Forest, who were already ahead of City by a point before kickoff, extended their lead to four points with this win. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Newcastle remain close behind in the battle for European qualification. Guardiola admitted his side lacked urgency, struggling to break down a well-organized Forest defense.
“It was a tight game,” Guardiola said. “One transition, we missed a pass, and they scored. We controlled their long balls well, but we struggled to create chances. Our process was too slow.”
Despite City’s defensive discipline, their attacking efforts fell short. Guardiola acknowledged his team’s lack of cutting-edge in the final third, emphasizing the need to improve.
With ten games remaining, City must secure more consistent wins to ensure their place in next season’s Champions League. Guardiola stressed the urgency: “We have to win games. We haven’t won enough in a row to feel secure.”
The defeat increases pressure on City, who must now regain form quickly to avoid missing out on elite European competition.
