Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest pulled off a spectacular win against Arsenal this afternoon, handing the Premier League title to Man City as well as securing their own place in the English top flight next year.
The Reds secured their safety in the top flight via Taiwo Awoniyi just 19 minutes in, and despite seeing less than 20% of the possession throughout the entire game held on to the three points valiantly.
Nottingham Forest take the lead!
Taiwo Awoniyi converts after he’s slid through by Morgan Gibbs-White.#NOTARS | #NFFC | #AFC
🎥 @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/rrGRvfveCy
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 20, 2023
Mike Arteta’s side created their fair share of chances, but couldn’t find the quality required to get the ball past Keylor Navas, with Forest leaving everything out on the pitch to hold them off.
The scenes as the final whistle blew at the end of 7 additional minutes were electric, as players and fans at the City Ground celebrated their guaranteed safety. Fireworks were let off across the river Trent with the importance of this victory more than apparent.
This 3 points take them to a total of 37 – 4 points ahead of Everton, whose draw this afternoon against Wolves makes it impossible for them to fight back ahead of Forest.
Leeds United, who fill the first relegation spot do have 2 matches left to play in the league, but with just 31 points to their name have no way of dragging Nottingham Forest back into the danger zone.
🗣️ “It’s fantastic, it’s been a tough season for us. It means so much to so many people.”
Joe Worrall on Nottingham Forest’s season.👏 pic.twitter.com/vfLu6Xaonw
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 20, 2023
📹 Full-time whistle = scenes at the City Ground 🙌
Nottingham Forest are safe with a game to spare!
Victory over Arsenal seals #NFFC‘s survival and hands Man City the Premier League title in the process 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cS5yDAUTYS
— i sport (@iPaperSport) May 20, 2023
Pep Guardiola’s men will no doubt also be in full celebration tonight, after Forest’s underdog victory secured Man City the first of a possible treble without their side having to even take to the pitch in another Premier League game.
The Sky Blues now have the FA Cup and Champions League finals against Manchester United and Inter Milan to get passed if they wish to secure the elusive treble to round off their incredible season.
