Yesterday, the Reds suffered their second successive Premier League defeat.
Nottingham Forest suffered their second consecutive Premier League defeat Sunday, losing 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the City Ground.
Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland scored crucial goals for City in their drive to capture their sixth Premier League title in seven seasons, leaving the Reds in a dangerous position.
Nuno EspÃrito Santo’s team is presently a point and a spot above the drop zone, with only three games remaining in the season. They face a final-day fight with Burnley and Luton Town to stay in the top flight.
However, the Reds could have damaged City’s title dreams and enhanced their survival chances if they had converted many clear chances.
Forest had 14 shots to City’s 11, with three great chances during the match but squandering all of them. One man in particular had a rare off day for the Reds, failing to direct any of his shots on goal.
Chris Wood’s stats against Manchester City
Chris Wood, the Reds’ leading scorer, had 12 Premier League goals this season but failed to add to his total against the champions yesterday despite several golden opportunities.
The New Zealand international played the entire game, accumulating an xG of 0.94, the most of any player on the field, but failed to convert any opportunities.
He also missed two good chances, and given his success in front of goal this season, you’d expect him to bury both, but sadly for Forest, he didn’t take advantage of the golden openings.
How has Chris Wood missed from there 😳
A golden opportunity to draw level goes begging… pic.twitter.com/9fIvlBjil2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 28, 2024
Wood also lost possession 11 times throughout the game and failed to complete 100% of his dribbles – it was a forgettable afternoon for the 32-year-old player.
He’s been fantastic for Nuno in the club’s relegation struggle, and yesterday was his first meaningful off day in a long time. Despite his terrible performance, one of his colleagues also had a difficult afternoon at the City Ground.
Moussa Niakhate’s stats against Manchester City
Moussa Niakhate, a Senegalese defender, has started the club’s previous two Premier League games, but he played in a back five versus City rather than a back four against Everton.
The 28-year-old failed to win any tackles or duels he contested, making Niakhate the only Reds backline player who did not win at least one.
Fellow centre-back Andrew Omobamidele replaced Murillo in the 74th minute, and although playing for less than an hour, the Irishman won more duels than Niakhate.
Nuno’s side had a reasonable amount of possession before Gvardiol’s opening, but the former Mainz defender was wasteful in possession, giving the ball away seven times and completing only 29 passes.
He has failed to recreate his form from earlier in the season in recent games, with Nuno needing to continue with a back five for the trip to Sheffield United while replacing Niakhate with Omobamidele if the Reds are to win three crucial points next weekend.
