Forest Strengthen Top-Four Bid as City Stumble at Brighton

TDT | Manama
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Nottingham Forest bolstered their Champions League credentials with a 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town, while Manchester City dropped points in a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday’s Premier League action. Elsewhere, Everton’s late leveller denied West Ham, Wolves edged Southampton, and Brentford saw off Bournemouth.

Forest’s Firepower Prevails

Nottingham Forest solidified third place with 54 points, five ahead of Chelsea, thanks to a clinical display at Portman Road. Anthony Elanga’s quickfire double in the first half—first a curling shot, then a finish from Nikola Milenkovic’s long ball—put the visitors in control after Milenkovic’s opener. “We caught Ipswich off balance and made it count,” said manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Jens Cajuste’s 82nd-minute strike offered Ipswich hope, but Jota Silva’s swift reply sealed it, despite George Hirst’s late consolation. “The fourth goal was key—it settled the game,” Santo added. Forest’s resurgence from past relegation scraps continues apace.

City Pegged Back by Brighton

Manchester City, now fifth with 48 points, couldn’t capitalise on their early lead at Brighton. Erling Haaland’s 11th-minute penalty—his 21st league goal this term—came after Omar Marmoush was fouled, but Pervis Estupinan’s 21st-minute free-kick levelled it, catching keeper Stefan Ortega off-guard. Marmoush restored City’s advantage before the break, only for Abdukodir Khusanov’s own goal, deflecting Adam Webster’s header, to earn Brighton a point. “We played well but let it slip—frustrating,” said City’s Ilkay Gundogan. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler felt his side deserved more: “We had the chances to win, especially after halftime.”

Everton Snatch Draw in Moyes’ Return

Everton stretched their unbeaten run to nine games with a 1-1 draw against West Ham at Goodison Park, where David Moyes faced his former club for the first time since rejoining Everton in January. Tomas Soucek’s 67th-minute curler gave West Ham the edge, but Jake O’Brien’s stoppage-time header ensured a share of the spoils. “We showed great character—nine unbeaten is a solid return,” Moyes said. Both teams sit on 34 points, with Everton 14th and West Ham 16th.

Wolves Boost Survival Hopes

Wolverhampton Wanderers took a vital step away from the drop zone with a 2-1 win at Southampton, courtesy of Jorgen Strand Larsen’s brace. The victory lifts 17th-placed Wolves to 27 points, nine clear of Ipswich in 18th. Southampton, rooted to the bottom with nine points from 29 games, suffered a ninth consecutive home loss, met with boos from the St Mary’s faithful. Brentford, meanwhile, climbed to 11th with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, Christian Norgaard’s second-half strike overturning Vitaly Janelt’s early own goal.

Table Taking Shape

Forest’s six-point cushion over City keeps them firmly in the top-four hunt, while the champions’ draw exposes early vulnerabilities. Brighton’s resilience underlines their mid-table threat, but Southampton’s woes deepen. With Chelsea facing Arsenal next and Everton holding steady, the Premier League’s contours are sharpening—though plenty of twists remain in store.