Manchester City, like Arsenal, did not falter on Sunday in the thrilling Premier League title race. Kevin De Bruyne led his team in the challenging away match against Nottingham Forest.
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Just over half an hour in, De Bruyne decided to find Josko Gvardiol at a corner. The Belgian's delivery was perfect, as was the Croatian's run.
At the near post, the 22-year-old defender headed the ball convincingly into the net. For Gvardiol, that was already his third goal in his last five appearances for The Citizens. In his first 32 games for City, the acquisition from RB Leipzig had not scored.
Erling Haaland was not fit enough to start in Nottingham and Pep Guardiola was unable to call upon Phil Foden. Without those two, City's attacking play was less sparkling than Guardiola would have hoped. Indeed, City created few chances for a long time. For the Spanish manager, it was even more worrisome that personnel problems were growing. Ederson could not continue at halftime and had to be replaced by Stefan Ortega.
The backup goalkeeper had a lucky escape early in the half when Chris Wood had a great chance for Forest. The striker hit the ball completely wrong with his left after good preparatory work by former Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga. The threat from the home team was quite significant at that stage. It was all the more pleasing for the traveling City supporters that twenty minutes before the end, the lead was doubled. The newly substituted Haaland received the ball from De Bruyne and unexpectedly went to his right in the penalty area. With his weaker foot, the 23-year-old striker beat goalkeeper Matz Sels: 0-2.
Thus, De Bruyne gained two more assists in the season where he could clinch the league title with Manchester City for the sixth time. Whether that championship will happen is in City's own hands. Guardiola's team is one point behind Arsenal, but has played one game less. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United are the remaining opponents. Arsenal had earlier won against Spurs on Sunday.
