Nottingham Forest Strengthen Third Place as Manchester City Held to a Draw by Brighton

Anthony Elanga was the star of the show, scoring twice to lead Forest to an important win at the City Ground. The former Manchester United winger has been in scintillating form this season, proving to be one of Forest’s most vital attacking players. Nikola Milenkovic also got on the scoresheet, further demonstrating the team’s attacking prowess. Despite Ipswich’s efforts to fight back, Forest held firm to secure all three points.

The win extends Nottingham Forest’s strong run of form, as they continue to put pressure on the traditional top-six teams. Under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest have transformed into a disciplined and well-organized side, blending defensive solidity with sharp counter-attacking play. With just a few months left in the season, they are now in prime position to secure European football for the first time in decades.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s title ambitions suffered a setback as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion. Pep Guardiola’s side looked set to claim all three points after goals from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, but Brighton fought back impressively to deny the reigning champions a crucial victory.

Pervis Estupiñán sparked Brighton’s comeback with a well-taken goal, giving Roberto De Zerbi’s side renewed hope. The equalizer, however, came under dramatic circumstances, as City defender Abdukodir Khusanov inadvertently put the ball into his own net, handing Brighton a well-deserved point.

The draw leaves Manchester City with a tougher path in their quest to retain the Premier League title. With Arsenal and Liverpool both in strong form, every dropped point could prove costly for Guardiola’s men. City’s performance against Brighton was far from their usual dominant display, with defensive lapses proving costly.

For Brighton, the result serves as another testament to their ability to compete against the league’s best teams. Despite losing key players in recent transfer windows, they have maintained their competitive edge under De Zerbi. Their ability to frustrate Manchester City and secure a point highlights their resilience and tactical discipline.

Looking ahead, Nottingham Forest will aim to maintain their momentum as they continue their push for a top-four finish. With Anthony Elanga leading the attack and a well-structured team behind him, Forest fans have every reason to believe that European football is within their grasp.

As for Manchester City, Guardiola must quickly find solutions to his team’s recent inconsistencies. With a demanding fixture schedule ahead, City cannot afford to slip up again if they hope to keep pace with their title rivals. The race for the Premier League crown remains as fierce as ever, and every match will be crucial in determining the final standings.