Nottingham Forest player ratings as one player gets 9/10 and others impress in big win over Man City

Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways as they clinched a big 1-0 victory over Manchester City thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal.

The Reds were third in the Premier League table ahead of kick-off, one point and one place above their opponents. And with so much at stake, it was a scrappy start to proceedings on Trentside.

Forest struggled to settle into a rhythm in the opening minutes and City fired a couple of early warning shots through Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez. The hosts kept battling away, though, and more than held their own in a cagey affair.

Clearcut chances were few and far between at either end before the break. Chris Wood came closest to a breakthrough for the Reds, with their only shot on target of the first half. The front man latched on to a long ball but couldn’t beat Ederson with his effort. It came after Matz Sels had made a save from a Jeremy Doku drive.

Nicolas Dominguez forced Ederson into action soon after the restart and Hudson-Odoi struck the post as Forest started the second half well. They got their rewards in the end as Hudson-Odoi scored what proved to be the winner in the 83rd minute when he latched on to a Morgan Gibbs-White ball and fired in.

Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground...

Matz Sels: A relatively quiet afternoon for the Belgian as the players in front of him did a fantastic job of protecting Forest’s goal. Another clean-sheet to add to his ever-growing tally. Rating: 7/10

Ola Aina: Marked his 50th Premier League appearance in the Garibaldi with a superb performance. Dealt well with City’s threat and barely put a foot wrong all afternoon. Much more like it after some below-par displays. Rating: 8.5/10

Nikola Milenkovic: Forest had missed him against Ipswich Town in the FA Cup, and he showed why by keeping the defence organised for much of the game. Marshalled the back line expertly. Rating: 8.5/10

Murillo: No surprise to see the defender handed his second Brazil call-up this week. Showed the quality he can offer his country with some lovely passes and brilliant defending to keep the reigning champions at bay. Rating: 8.5/10

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Neco Williams: Stuck to his task brilliantly throughout. Dealt well with Jeremy Doku when the City man switched flanks in the second half. Pushed forward well, too. Rating: 8.5/10

Nicolas Dominguez: The one place in the side with a question mark against it, but the Argentine certainly justified his spot with a brilliant display. Almost capped it with what would have been a terrific goal in the second half. Rating: 9/10

Elliot Anderson: Went about his business quietly but effectively. Put a real shift in and got through so much work to help his team clinch a huge victory. Rating: 7.5/10

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Went close with a trademark effort just past the hour mark, then bagged the opener in style with minutes to go. Got a huge - and deserved - standing ovation when he made way soon after. Rating: 8.5/10

Morgan Gibbs-White: Always capable of popping up with something in important moments, and did so again by setting up Hudson-Odoi. Can always rely on the England international to create something. Rating: 7.5/10

Anthony Elanga: Made some positive runs and got into some promising positions as his pace tested the visitors. Final ball wasn’t quite there, though, with the Reds finding it tough going at the top end of the pitch. Rating: 7.5/10

Chris Wood: Toiled away all afternoon. Didn’t have too many opportunities in front of goal, other than one in the first half, but the work-rate was certainly there. Rating: 7/10

Subs

Ryan Yates (for Dominguez, 69mins): Made a positive impact when he came on, as he has done in previous games. Got stuck in straight away and made a nuisance of himself. Rating: 7.5/10

Ibrahim Sangare (for Elanga, 80mins): Did a good job in the closing stages as Forest saw out the win. Continues to build up valuable minutes. Rating: 7/10

Taiwo Awoniyi (for Wood, 87mins): Tried to get involved as soon as he came on. Didn’t really get long to make an impact, though. Rating: 7/10

Morato (for Hudson-Odoi, 87mins): Helped to see the game out after the Reds had taken the lead. Continues to be trusted to come on in big moments. Rating: 7/10

Subs not used: Hennessey, Moreno, Jota, Danilo, Boly.

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