N Forest 0 – 2 Man Utd

April 16, 2023 admin

Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League with a routine 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, strengthening their grip on a Champions League qualifying spot.

Erik ten Hag’s side were kicking themselves on Thursday night after blowing a two-goal lead at home to Sevilla in their Europa League quarter-final first leg, but after domestic results went their way on Saturday, they didn’t make the same mistake here, capitalising at the City Ground to boost their chances of a top-four finish.

Antony scored the opener from close range (32) and then rolled in Diogo Dalot (76) for the second after the impressive Bruno Fernandes had seen a shot pushed onto the bar, with the dominant win moving United six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand and just eight fixtures remaining.

Forest have now lost 10 games in a row to Man Utd across all competitions, including four times this season – but it could have been different had a VAR call gone in their favour in the first half. They will feel hard done by for not being awarded a penalty with the score at 0-0 when the ball struck an arm of the nervy Harry Maguire in the box.

There were good chances in the opening 45 for Taiwo Awoniyi, too, with one shot cleared off the line and another blazed over the bar, before Scott McKenna forced the ball onto a post. Felipe then headed over from two yards in the second half just before Dalot’s clincher.

But Forest are now without a win in 10 and remain third-bottom. They are in the relegation zone instead of Everton because of goal difference.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Nottingham Forest face a trip to Liverpool on Saturday April 22; kick-off 3pm.

Meanwhile, Man Utd are back in action on Thursday when they face a trip to Sevilla in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final; kick-off 8pm.

After that, United have an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley to look forward to. They face Brighton on Sunday April 23; kick-off 4.30pm.

Their next Premier League game is against Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday April 27; kick-off 8.15pm.