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:
Anthony Elanga reminds Manchester United of lesson they continuously fail to learn
A post-mortem of any Manchester United defeat throws up a whole host of ailments of which there is no clear panacea.
Yet, one common deficiency appears time and again, week after week. Only this time, it took a forward deemed not good enough to really emphasise the point.
Anthony Elanga’s fifth-minute winner, having ran 85 metres, mostly unchallenged, will garner all the headlines, for good reason, as Nottingham Forest took another giant leap towards returning to European football's top table for the first time in 45 years with victory over a beleaguered United.
Anthony Elanga reminds Manchester United of lesson they continuously fail to learn
Ruben Amorim speaking to TNT Sports:
"We controlled the game, but we already knew this team can score goals out of nothing. When they scored we changed the game a little bit from what they want. We tried with good opportunities, but in the last third, the last pass, the last assist wasn't there. Then if we don't have that we cannot score goals.
"This season is like that. We had a lot of shots on goal, we pushed the opponent to the last third, but in the last third we had a lack of quality. We need to win games and we deserved more in this game, that is clear, but it is our fault and we need to be better in the last third. We should have won this game, not even drawn, but in the end we have lost three points.
"We know the characters of the team and one goal can put them in one situation they love. We have to score two goals to win a match and that is frustrating as it was the beginning of the game. We helped them to win three points."
Anthony Elanga reacts to Forest's win:
"It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quick as I can. I saw the space and I believe I'm one of the fastest players in the league. The finish is something I have been trying to work on. Left foot or right foot, I am quite comfortable with both feet this season.
"All you want to do is keep on improving, coming here is about playing and developing. I appreciate Manchester United so much as I learned a lot there. I am enjoying my football and I want to keep on going.
"We have one of the lowest possession in the league, but it has been effective and it is something we have worked on since pre-season. Murillo's block means more than a goal, seeing it on the bench I was like 'Wow'.”
Can Forest make it to the Champions League
Ryan Yates said: "I don't want to say as football is so cruel. We have got the cup to focus on and we have got the league.
"We are at Villa Park Saturday and they're flying. We take each game as it comes."
Yates on Elanga:
"He is a dream for a midfielder. Especially us sitting in that low-block - you can give him the ball and he does the rest."
Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates:
"Special, after a massive performance.
"120 minutes the other day - it is unbelievable. The determination, fans were incredible and buzzing to keep the run going. We're having a great season. The past two seasons were about staying up, keeping our head above water, and we have got that momentum at the minute."
Full-time! Forest 1-0 Man Utd
90+6 mins: The ball comes into the box and drops to Maguire.
He pokes it past the goalkeeper but Murillo is there to clear it off the line!
The whistle goes at the City Ground. It’s a very impressive three points for Forest.
Forest 1-0 Man Utd
90+3 mins: Maguire is basically playing up front. A diagonal ball is sent into the box which he nods down but Forest react quickly and clear their lines.
Forest 1-0 Man Utd
90 mins: Six minutes of added time to play. Seems a bit excessive in all honesty.
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