Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd LIVE: Anthony Elanga’s goal secures three points in Premier League clash
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd: Nuno Espirito Santo’s side maintain their grip on third place
Nottingham Forest can believe that securing Champions League football is a realistic goal for this season after a 1-0 victory over Manchester United on the Premier League’s return.
The hosts struck early in the game through Anthony Elanga, the former Man Utd winger, who broke clear in the opening minutes and scored from a counter-attack. He shrugged off Alejandro Garnacho, cut inside of Noussair Mazraoui then slotted the ball home.
From there, Ruben Amorim’s men actually impressed as the searched for an equaliser but they lacked a cutting edge in the final third which has been a recurring theme of their season.
At the depth, with Forest managing the game well, Harry Maguire was introduced as a target man and almost stole an equaliser but Murillo denied him with a goalline clearance. Forest maintain their grip on third place and move one step closer to Europe’s top competition.
Relive the action from The City Ground with our live blog below:
Score first, win games
Nottingham Forest have gone 1-0 up in a league-high 22 matches this season.
However, they have lost five of the six league games in which they conceded first this campaign.
The two Manchester United players handing Ruben Amorim an awkward dilemma
The good news, to use Ruben Amorim’s phrase, was that two of the forwards on Manchester United’s books have hit form. Not for United, admittedly.
Marcus Rashford scored twice in an FA Cup quarter-final, has earned an England recall and has his current club manager saying he is getting back towards his best. Although that manager, tellingly, is Unai Emery of Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Antony has starred in a side who have reeled off five straight league wins. Though the division in question is LaLiga and the club in form is Real Betis.
The two Man United players handing Ruben Amorim an awkward dilemma
One for the road?
Manchester United are also aiming to record consecutive away league victories for the first time since winning three in a row in February last year.
Can United secure back-to-back wins?
Manchester United are looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, and to increase their unbeaten run to five top-flight matches.
They are one of only three sides yet to win successive top-flight fixtures this season, along with Ipswich Town and Southampton.
Home advantage
Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their last eight home league fixtures, winning six and drawing two.
It is as many wins as they had managed in their previous 24 attempts at the City Ground.
Positive signs for Forest
Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions.
They have 54 points - only four teams have reached that tally after 29 Premier League games and failed to finish in the top five.
Forest vs Man Utd
The successive defeats suffered by Manchester United in the past two top-flight meetings is more than they had in their first 13 Premier League encounters.
FA Cup quarter-final a ‘huge moment’ for Nottingham Forest, says Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno Espirito Santo savoured a “huge moment” for Nottingham Forest after they reached their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels saved spot-kicks from Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez as Forest beat Brighton 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw at the Amex Stadium.
Sels had previously made crucial saves in shoot-outs against Exeter and Ipswich in the previous two rounds.
FA Cup quarter-final a ‘huge moment’ for Nottingham Forest, says Nuno Espirito Santo
Man Utd line-up versus Forest
Man Utd XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee, Fernandes
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