For the first time this season, Nottingham Forest have won back to back games in the Premier League after beating Manchester United 2-1 under the City Ground lights. Goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White gave Forest their first home win under the new manager as they build away from the relegation zone.
Nuno Espírito Santo made two changes to his side who beat Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Ibrahim Sangare missed out through suspension whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi dropped to the bench.
Dominguez and Ryan Yates came in as Nuno moved to a three man midfield. Dominguez was making his first start since the 5-0 defeat at Fulham at the start of December. Erik Ten Hag made just the one change to his side that fought back to claim three points against Aston Villa. Hero of that game Rasmus Højlund missed out through illness and he was replaced by Antony. The Brazilian winger scored in United’s 2-0 win at the City Ground in the Premier League last season.
The only side to come close to scoring in the first side was Forest. Ola Aina sent a ball down the line for Anthony Elanga who sent in a ball from the left which was almost turned into his own net by Raphaël Varane as his touch sent it across the face of goal.
That was the only chance of the first half with the chances being limited. Unlike last season, Forest were not letting United dominate with the ball and were showing some fight in them. The visitors struggled to create anything with no natural number nine playing with Forest causing problems. There was a substitution at half time by Ten Hag as Kobbie Mainoo was replaced by Scott McTominay.
It was the visitors who came close first in the second half. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played a ball across to Diogo Dalot and his shot from the edge of the box crashed off the post. Dalot, like Antony, scored one this fixture last season and came close again.
Forest then took the lead. Elanga giving the ball to Gonzalo Montiel who spun and played the ball to Argentine teammate Dominguez who found the bottom corner. The midfielder scoring his second goal for Forest and showing why he should keep hold of that starting spot.
The visitors found an equaliser though with 12 minutes to go after a gift from Matt Turner. The keeper played the ball straight to Alejandro Garnacho who laid the ball off to Rashford and he found the bottom corner to bring the game level.
Just four minutes later though, Forest were back in front through Gibbs-White. Elanga down the right giving the ball centrally to Gibbs-White who’s first time shot from the edge of the box found the bottom corner. The United fan scoring just his second goal of the season with his performances really picking up since the appointment of Nuno.
In stoppage time, a big save from Turner denied a United equaliser. A corner routine saw the ball sent to Bruno Fernandes saw his volley deflected and Turner got a strong hand up to his left to top it over the cross bar. A huge save after his earlier error in the game to keep Forest in front.
That was the final action of the game as Forest picked up another big three points. A first home win since November has seen the Reds move to 15th in the table and five points clear of the relegation zone. A good start for Forest life for Nuno who’s picked up six points from nine since joining the club. It’s cup action next up for the Reds as they host League One side Blackpool where they hope there will be no repeats of last season. A disappointing night for Manchester United as they go back to where they were before the Villa game. The Red Devils sit 7th in the table and they also are in cup action next as they travel to League one side Wigan Athletic.
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