Erling Haaland warned Manchester City to forget Arsenal’s title challenge or risk driving themselves ‘crazy’ as they chase a fourth consecutive Premier League crown.
The Norwegian scored the clincher in the second half shortly after coming on as a substitute and though City did not play particularly well, they will take the title if they win their remaining four games.
With his father Alfie watching from the directors’ box, Haaland struck his 21st league goal of the season to go clear again at the top of the scoring charts.
‘I think the most important thing is to not think, especially in these moments,’ said Haaland. ‘It’s about taking it day by day. Honestly, if you overthink, you’re going to be crazy in your head, so relax now, enjoy it and focus on the next one.’
City were without Phil Foden and Ruben Dias due to illness, while John Stones and Haaland were only on the bench.
Erling Haaland scored his 21st Premier League goal of the season against Nottingham Forest
Pep Guardiola claimed rivals Arsenal are not likely to ‘drop any more points’ in the run-in
Premier League leaders Arsenal secured a vital win over arch-rivals Tottenham earlier in the day
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Having played at Brighton only three days earlier, Pep Guardiola’s team looked short of energy and the Catalan believes his players have no room for error in the run-in, with Arsenal a point clear.
He said: ‘I don’t think Arsenal will drop any more points. It is like what happened in the past with Liverpool.
‘We have four games left and it’s like climbing a big mountain. If we draw a game we are not going to win the league. The performance here was not particularly good.’
Forest remain only a point above the relegation zone and two of their final three games are against Sheffield United – who have already been relegated – and 19th-placed Burnley.
The club expect to hear this week whether their appeal against the four-point deduction they received for breaking Premier League spending rules has been successful.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: ‘Hopefully we hear soon and we can deal with the reality. It will make a big difference – not just for us but for all the league.’
