Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester United: Anthony Elanga on track in opposition to former employers as Forest edge nearer to Champions League berth
Nottingham Forest have taken yet one more step in direction of Champions League qualification by claiming a 1-0 conquer Manchester United at Metropolis Floor on Tuesday.
Simply three days after a gruelling FA Cup quarter-final conflict in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion, Nuno Espirito Santo’s males had one other difficult project to navigate with out main scorer Chris Wooden.
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Bruno Fernandes produced United’s first effort of the competition with a long-range drive which known as Matz Sels into motion, and from the ensuing nook, Anthony Elanga went on a one-man counterattack down the opposite finish to strike in opposition to his former employers.
Fernandes pressured Sels into one other save shortly afterwards, albeit a a lot comfy one this time round as United seemed to hit again in double-quick time.
The guests ought to have gotten themselves again on degree phrases within the thirteenth minute by way of Casemiro, who planted a header broad from shut vary.
Ruben Amorim’s males continued to dominate the ball possession with out essentially placing Sels underneath any actual strain, and Forest got here near doubling their benefit simply earlier than the interval as Morato pressured Andre Onana into his first save of the afternoon.
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Casemiro had one remaining chunk on the cherry within the first half with a long-range effort that was effectively broad to conclude a largely underwhelming first half from Manchester United.
Introduced on as a half-time substitute, Rasmus Hojlund had his aspect’s first effort of the second interval inside the opening 75 seconds to yield the half’s first nook, from which Casemiro continued his private duel with Sels.
Having been on the again foot for the early exchanges of the restart, Forest began to develop into the competition and had their first crack at Onana’s aim through Morgan Gibbs-White.
Alejandro Garnacho had a flurry of alternatives halfway by way of the second half however didn’t profit from them as United continued their quest for parity.
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As the sport progressed, the hosts regularly retreated with the goal of holding on to their slim benefit.
Harry Maguire was introduced on as an emergency centre-forward and was inches away from rescuing a degree for his aspect solely to be denied by a goal-line clearance from Murillo with virtually the final kick of the sport.
Tuesday’s victory has seen Forest transfer 9 factors away from Manchester Metropolis in fifth, whereas United stay thirteenth within the Premier League desk and nonetheless await consecutive league wins for the primary time this season.