manchester city were held to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium on 5 March 2026, after relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest twice came from behind to earn a point; the result leaves City seven points adrift of Arsenal in the title race. Rodri’s headed goal just after the hour briefly put City back on course, but Elliot Anderson curled a superb equaliser 14 minutes from time to level for the second time. The draw also kept Forest out of the bottom three on goal difference as Ryan Yates almost won it in stoppage time.
Manchester City fall short — match details
City looked to dominate early and opened the scoring when Antoine Semenyo adjusted to volley Rayan Cherki’s cross past the goalkeeper in the first half, a finish described in match coverage as Semenyo’s fifth Premier League goal since his move from Bournemouth and his 15th of the season. Nottingham Forest responded through Morgan Gibbs-White, whose instinctive backheel wrong-footed Gianluigi Donnarumma to level the match before the hour.
City reclaimed the lead after the interval when Rodri got forward at a corner and bulleted home from Rayan Aït-Nouri’s cross; the moment sparked a loud celebration from Rodri on the touchline. That advantage lasted until Elliot Anderson’s curling finish from outside the area restored parity, and Forest almost snatched an unlikely winner when Ryan Yates headed narrowly wide in stoppage time. The hosts had chances late — including Semenyo’s free-kick and a blocked effort from Savinho — but could not force the decisive goal.
Erling Haaland returned from a one-game absence and Phil Foden started after being benched for two league matches, yet City could not close out the victory. The match left manchester city facing a tighter title race: they trail Arsenal by seven points but retain a game in hand and will meet the Gunners later in the season.
Immediate reactions
“Vamos, vamos!” Rodri exclaimed on the pitch after his 62nd-minute header, a raw reaction captured during celebration that underscored the brief optimism at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, will rue another second-half lapse that cost points and momentum in a run-in that now requires added urgency. Vítor Pereira, Forest’s new manager, saw his side secure a crucial point that keeps them clear of the relegation zone on goal difference despite still seeking a first league win under his tenure.
Context and what’s next
The draw means City now sit seven points behind Arsenal with one game in hand; the two sides are scheduled to meet on April 19, a fixture flagged in match coverage as pivotal for the title race. As of 5 March 2026, ET, City have fewer margin-for-error matches remaining: Guardiola’s squad must convert chances into wins across the coming weeks while Forest build on a result that keeps them outside the bottom three by goal difference.
Next developments to watch: the fixture list tightens toward April, City’s ability to recover form and consistency after late-game slips, and Forest’s ongoing search for a first league victory under Vítor Pereira. The immediate consequence is clear — manchester city leave the Etihad having dropped two points that could prove costly in the closing stages of the season.
