Manchester City’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot next season were dealt another blow after they twice squandered the lead to draw 2-2 against Brighton on Saturday. Meanwhile, third-placed Nottingham Forest continued their impressive push for European football with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich.
City took the lead through Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, but Brighton, who extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, hit back with a Pervis Estupinan free-kick and an own goal from Abdukodir Khusanov.
Pep Guardiola had stated on Friday that securing a Champions League spot would be considered a “big success” for City after a turbulent season. Despite their early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid, the English champions had at least enjoyed a full week to regroup following their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Forest last weekend.
Marmoush, who was reinstated to the starting lineup, proved to be one of City’s most dangerous players. The Egyptian international won the penalty that allowed Haaland to score his 29th goal of the season. However, City’s lead evaporated just 10 minutes later when Estupinan curled a free-kick past the flat-footed Stefan Ortega in goal.
Marmoush briefly restored City’s advantage with a powerful long-range effort before halftime. But Brighton responded quickly after the break, leveling the score just three minutes into the second half when Jack Hinshelwood’s shot was deflected into the net by Khusanov.
Despite pushing for a winner, City couldn’t find the breakthrough, with Nico Gonzalez’s effort hitting the post. The point leaves City in fifth place, just one point ahead of Brighton in seventh, with a top-five finish likely to secure a Champions League spot thanks to England’s strong European performances this season.
Forest edge closer to Champions League
Nottingham Forest kept their Champions League dreams alive with a dominant 4-2 win at Ipswich, climbing to within one point of second-placed Arsenal and six ahead of City. Forest’s attacking display was scintillating, with three goals in six first-half minutes.
Nikola Milenkovic opened the scoring with a powerful strike from inside the box, followed by Anthony Elanga, who netted twice. The Swedish winger capitalized on a poor Ipswich defensive error to slot home his second goal of the afternoon.
Ipswich, however, pulled two late goals back through Jens Cajuste and George Hirst, though it was not enough to mount a comeback. Forest’s fourth came from Jota Silva, sealing the win for Steve Cooper’s side.
Relegation battle heats up
Elsewhere, Ipswich’s battle against relegation was further complicated by a 2-1 defeat to Wolves, who pulled nine points clear of the bottom three. Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen scored both goals, including a powerful header in the first half and a second strike early in the second. Paul Onuachu’s late goal was a mere consolation for Southampton, who are on track to post the worst-ever points tally in Premier League history.
Everton extended their unbeaten run to nine matches thanks to a 90th-minute equalizer from Jake O’Brien in a 1-1 draw with West Ham. Tomas Soucek had given West Ham the lead, as both sides remain on 34 points, 17 clear of the relegation zone.
AFP
