Nottingham Forest is inching ever closer to a coveted spot in the Champions League, a significant achievement for a club that many anticipated would be fighting to avoid relegation this Premier League season. With a decisive 4-2 victory over Ipswich on Saturday, Forest is now just a point shy of second-place Arsenal. This win is particularly notable as it expands the gap between Forest and Manchester City to six points, following City’s 2-2 draw with Brighton at home.
Currently clinging to fifth place—a potential gateway to the Champions League for next season—Manchester City has a challenging path ahead. Any aspirations for a fifth consecutive league title have dissipated, with City trailing Liverpool, the league leaders, by 22 points and only nine games remaining.
In their latest match, City took the lead twice in the first half courtesy of Erling Haaland’s penalty and a powerful strike from Omar Marmoush. However, Brighton, also vying for a Champions League position, matched City’s efforts. An own-goal by Abdukodir Khusanov in the 48th minute secured a draw for Brighton, who had opportunities to claim all three points, including a late miss by Carlos Baleba.
Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, expressed frustration, “I came from the locker room, and it’s a disappointing feeling.” City’s performance in recent matches has been inconsistent, registering only two victories in their last six league games while conceding 40 goals, the most City has allowed in a single season since Pep Guardiola’s tenure began nine years ago. Guardiola mentioned sensing anxiety among the fans, stating, “Everybody feels the pressure.”
For Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga shone with two goals, while Nikola Milenkovic and Jota Silva added to the scoreline in their team’s recent triumphs. Under the stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest is on the brink of returning to Europe’s top club competition, a feat they last accomplished during their storied European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980. Despite the success, Nuno remains grounded, emphasizing the need for focus and effort in the remaining matches.
The relegation battle sees Ipswich precariously positioned, sinking nine points below safety after their loss, compounded by Wolverhampton’s 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Southampton, guided by Jørgen Strand Larsen’s brace. Leicester, tied with Ipswich on points, prepares to face Manchester United, while Southampton is almost certain to face relegation, sitting further adrift.
Bournemouth, once a surprising contender for European qualification, is seeing their hopes wane. Now in ninth place following a 2-1 home defeat to Brentford, Bournemouth has failed to secure a win in their last four league games and five overall. Nevertheless, they remain only four points behind Manchester City, with a pivotal FA Cup quarterfinal clash against them looming.
In other results, Everton managed a last-gasp equalizer through Jake O’Brien, earning a 1-1 draw at home against West Ham.
