Manchester City suffered a costly setback in the Premier League title race after being held to a dramatic 2–2 draw by struggling Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

The hosts made their early pressure count in the first half when Antoine Semenyo produced a stunning volley to fire Manchester City ahead. The strike appeared to put the champions firmly in control, with the home crowd expecting their team to push on and secure a routine victory.

However, Nottingham Forest had other plans. Shortly after the restart, Morgan Gibbs-White delivered a moment of brilliance, cleverly flicking the ball into the net with a backheel finish to bring the visitors level and silence the stadium.

Manchester City responded through Rodri, whose powerful header restored the lead. It was a particularly notable moment for the Spanish midfielder, marking his first Premier League goal in nearly two years. At that stage, it looked as though Pep Guardiola’s men had done enough to secure all three points.

Yet the drama was far from over. In the 76th minute, Elliot Anderson curled a superb strike into the corner, once again drawing Nottingham Forest level and setting up a tense finale at the Etihad Stadium.

The closing moments descended into chaos inside the visitors’ penalty area, but Nottingham Forest somehow survived the late onslaught to hold on for a crucial draw. The result leaves Manchester City seven points behind league leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Manchester City - Nottingham Forest 2:2 (1:0)
Goals: Semenyo, 31 (1:0); Gibbs-White, 56 (1:1); Rodri, 62 (2:1); Anderson E., 76 (2:2)

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Dias R.; Guehi; Aït-Nouri (Khusanov, 77); Rodri; Bernardo Silva; Matheus Nunes; Foden (Doku J., 77); Cherki (Sávio Moreira, 82); Håland E.; Semenyo
Substitution: Khusanov (from 77); Doku J. (from 77); Sávio Moreira (from 82)
Bench: Trafford; Stones; Ake; Reijnders; Nico González; Marmoush

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Williams N. (Morato F., 90); Murillo; Jair Cunha; Milenković; Aina; Sangaré I.; Anderson E.; Gibbs-White (Yates, 90); Dominguez N. (Hudson-Odoi, 63); Igor Jesus (Awoniyi, 79)
Substitution: Hudson-Odoi (from 63); Awoniyi (from 79); Morato F. (from 90); Yates (from 90)
Bench: Gunn; Netz; Ndoye D.; Hutchinson; Mcatee
Yellow Cards: Sangaré I. 45; Murillo 60; Milenković 63; Sels 90