Nottingham Forest Stun Manchester City to Extend Lead Over Reigning Champions
Nottingham Forest pulled off a major upset on Saturday, defeating Manchester City and moving four points clear of the defending champions. Callum Hudson-Odoi was the hero, scoring seven minutes from time after an exceptional pass from Morgan Gibbs-White.
The goal stemmed from a crucial tackle by Ola Aina, who won the ball from Omar Marmoush before setting up Gibbs-White to create the decisive moment. Aina’s effort was widely praised, but the victory was a testament to the collective performance and team spirit instilled by manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Alan Shearer’s Team of the Week Features Four Nottingham Forest Players
Matchweek 28’s shining stars 🌟 pic.twitter.com/NCjH1osjhG
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 11, 2025
Following the impressive victory, Premier League legend Alan Shearer selected four Nottingham Forest players in his Team of the Week after gameweek 28. Given the team’s defensive solidity against City, it was no surprise that three of the selections were from the backline.
Matz Sels (Goalkeeper): Shearer praised Sels for making “vital stops” and commanding his box well, securing his league-leading 12th clean sheet of the season.
Ola Aina (Defender): The former Newcastle striker highlighted Aina’s relentless work ethic, noting, “He worked his socks off with some non-stop running and relished his great battle with Jeremy Doku on the right side.”
Murillo (Defender): The Brazilian defender put in another commanding display, prompting Shearer to say, “He didn’t put a foot wrong and frustrated some top attacking players.”
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Winger): Shearer was full of praise for the match-winner, stating, “His qualities are perfect for this Nottingham Forest team, who soak up pressure and then hit hard and fast. It took a stunning save from Ederson to deny him a goal before he got the winner.”
Nuno Espirito Santo Earns Shearer’s Praise
In addition to the players, Espirito Santo also received recognition for his tactical approach. Shearer acknowledged the manager’s influence, saying:
“His game plan worked to perfection once again as Forest followed their 0-0 draw against Arsenal with a win over Man City. They fully deserve to be in the top four.”
Forest’s Top-Four Ambitions Still Alive
With 10 matches remaining in the Premier League season, Nottingham Forest are now firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish. The team has shown remarkable consistency and resilience under Espirito Santo, earning widespread recognition for their performances.
As Forest continues their push for Champions League qualification, their recent success highlights their growing presence as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.