Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper felt VAR should have intervened over Manchester City's goal at the City Ground.
Chris Wood’s first strike for the club clinched a point for the Reds as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with the reigning champions. Having come under plenty of pressure, some determined defending, a never-say-die attitude and fighting spirit paid off for the hosts.
Bernardo Silva had opened the scoring with an excellent strike just before half-time. But Cooper argued the goal should have been ruled out for a foul on Joe Worrall in the build-up.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest player ratings - Felipe impresses, Wood scores first goal to seal Man City draw
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest 'warriors' hailed as Chris Wood silences critics in Man City draw
Cooper thanks players
Head coach Steve Cooper thanked his Nottingham Forest players for “sticking to the plan” as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester City.
The Reds had fallen behind to Bernardo Silva’s strike just before half-time. They kept going, though, and their never-say-die-attitude paid off, despite coming under a lot of pressure.
Some solid defending and some crucial saves by Keylor Navas helped keep the hosts in with a chance in the second half. And Wood ensured they capitalised, slotting in Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross in the 84th minute.
City pair at odds
Pep Guardiola and Kyle Walker disagreed as they reacted to Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League champions dominated for long spells and took the lead through Bernardo Silva shortly before half-time. City wasted a string of chances to extend their lead and they were made to pay when substitute Chris Wood tapped home inside the final 10 minutes. The result was greeted like a victory at a jubilant City Ground but it was a damaging result for City, who saw title rivals Arsenal win dramatically at Aston Villa in the early kick-off.
While disappointed with the result and his side’s failure to convert their chances, Guardiola was pleased with the overall performance.
Dawson blames Navas
Nottingham Forest favourite Michael Dawson called out goalkeeper Keylor Navas after Manchester City took the lead at the City Ground.
The Reds were on the backfoot during a one-sided first half, with City enjoying 84 per cent of the possession and 397 passes to Forest’s 72. Despite that, Steve Cooper ’s defence held firm for most of the half.
That was until Bernardo Silva fired home a cracking strike four minutes before the break having been teed up by Jack Grealish after the home side had failed to clear a corner.
Arsenal grateful to Reds
There were celebrations in north London, as well as Nottingham, as Chris Wood tapped home his late equaliser against Manchester City.
The Premier League title race took a big twist in City’s direction on Wednesday as Pep Guardiola’s side triumphed 3-1 in their top-of-the-table tussle at Arsenal. However, a dramatic Saturday afternoon, which started with the Gunners winning a see-saw clash at Aston Villa in the early kick-off and ended with City being surprisingly held to a draw, saw the advantage swing back towards the Gunners.
While Reds fans greeted the unlikely point like a victory, Gunners were supporters were also toasting Steve Cooper ’s side.
Where will Forest finish in the Premier League? Tell us in the comments section below
READ NEXT:
- The latest Nottingham Forest news in one place
- BBC commentator gives spine-tingling verdict on Nottingham Forest atmosphere vs Man City
- Erling Haaland brutally mocked after Man City moment against Nottingham Forest
- Sabri Lamouchi makes Nottingham Forest comment after crucial Cardiff victory
- Brice Samba explains Nottingham Forest exit as new ‘dream’ emerges