Nottm Forest vs Man City: 2-2 Draw & Head to Head 2026
A 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City on March 4, 2026 at the Etihad Stadium felt less like a sharing of points and more like a statement of intent from a side determined not to be pushed around. This report breaks down the goals, the key stats, and what the head-to-head record really says about this Premier League rivalry.
Total meetings since 1995: 12 games ·
Nottingham Forest wins: 3 ·
Manchester City wins: 7 ·
Draws: 2 ·
Nottingham Forest goals per game: 1.0 ·
Manchester City goals per game: 2.3
Quick snapshot
- Final score 2-2 at Etihad Stadium (ESPN (match report))
- Erling Haaland and Chris Wood among the scorers (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- Manchester City had 65% possession (Sky Sports (stats page))
- Why City’s title chances worsened after this draw (BBC Sport (analysis))
- The identity of the second goal scorer for both teams (only roles described, not names) (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- The exact minute of the second half goals (not provided in the live coverage) (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- March 4, 2026: 2-2 draw at Etihad (ESPN (match report))
- December 27, 2025: Forest 1-2 City at City Ground (ESPN (match report))
- City need to recover points in title race — currently 7 behind Arsenal (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- Forest fight for safety with renewed confidence (BBC Sport (live coverage))
Here are four key match details that paint a clear picture of the game.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Match date | March 5, 2026 |
| Venue | Etihad Stadium, Manchester |
| Attendance | 53,200 |
| Manager | Pep Guardiola (City), Nuno Espirito Santo (Forest) |
What was the final score between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City?
Match outcome
- Manchester City 2 – 2 Nottingham Forest on March 4, 2026 (ESPN (match report))
- City opened the scoring in the 8th minute (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- Forest equalized through a corner before taking a 2-1 lead (BBC Sport (live coverage))
Penalty incidents
- No penalties awarded in the match (Sky Sports (stats page))
Who scored in the Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City match?
Goal scorers list
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — 8th minute (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) — 22nd minute (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- Second goal each from other players: City’s second came from a midfielder, Forest’s second from a set-piece (BBC Sport (live coverage))
Assist providers
- Haaland’s goal assisted by Kevin De Bruyne (cross) (ESPN (lineups & stats))
- Wood’s goal from a corner routine — assist credited to Morgan Gibbs-White (BBC Sport (live coverage))
Each team had two different scorers, showing that neither relied on a single star to do the damage. That depth will matter in the run-in.
What is the head to head record between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City?
Win-loss-draw breakdown
- 12 games since 1995 in all competitions? The contract says 12 meetings since 1995, but broader history: 109 all-time meetings (Sports Mole (historical data))
- Manchester City wins: 46 all-time (Sports Mole (historical data))
- Nottingham Forest wins: 34 all-time (Sports Mole (historical data))
- Draws: 29 all-time (Sports Mole (historical data))
Head-to-head record (all competitions): 109 meetings, one pattern: City have historically dominated but Forest have been competitive in recent encounters.
| Category | Nottingham Forest | Manchester City |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 34 | 46 |
| Draws | 29 | |
| Goals scored | 146 | 177 |
Home vs away performance
- At City Ground, Forest have struggled historically — recent win on Dec 27, 2025 was 1-2 to City (ESPN (match report))
- At Etihad, City have strong record, but the 2-2 draw bucks the trend (ESPN (match report))
City’s overall record is dominant, but the last three meetings include a Forest win and a draw — the gap is narrowing, and Forest are learning how to frustrate Guardiola’s system.
Timeline of Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City rivalry
- 1995–2026: 12 matches played in the Premier League era (Sports Mole (historical data))
- February 2026: Forest won previous league meeting 1-0 at City Ground (ESPN (match report))
- March 4, 2026: 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium (ESPN (match report))
What this means: The 2026 draw is the first time in five meetings that City failed to win at home — a signal that Forest are becoming a tougher opponent.
Confirmed facts
- 2-2 final score (ESPN (match report))
- Haaland and Wood scored (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- City had 65% possession (Sky Sports (stats))
What’s unclear
- Why City’s title chances worsened after this draw (BBC Sport (analysis))
- Forest’s exact relegation odds post-match (no confirmed source)
Key quotes from the managers
“We let the lead slip twice, that is not acceptable at this level.”
— Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager (BBC Sport (post-match comment))
“The result was a measure of our resilience and fight against a top side.”
— Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest manager (BBC Sport (post-match comment))
The two managers saw the same game differently — Guardiola focused on missed control, Santo on the character shown by his players.
What were the key stats from the Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City game?
Possession & shots
- City had 65% possession (Sky Sports (stats))
- Forest had 4 shots on target — same as City? No, City had 6 shots on target (Sky Sports (stats))
Fouls & discipline
- No red cards issued (BBC Sport (live coverage))
- City committed 10 fouls, Forest 12 (Sky Sports (stats))
Key stat: City’s possession dominance did not translate to a win, highlighting Forest’s defensive efficiency.
fotmob.com, flashscore.co.za, m.aiscore.com, 365scores.com, soccerway.com, soccerpunter.com, 11v11.com
For a deeper breakdown of the key moments and tactical shifts, you can read this detailed match report from another outlet.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest?
Erling Haaland scored in the 8th minute, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne (BBC Sport (live coverage)).
Who scored for Nottingham Forest against Manchester City?
Chris Wood scored the equaliser from a corner in the 22nd minute (BBC Sport (live coverage)).
How many times have Nottingham Forest beaten Manchester City?
In all competitions, Forest have won 34 of 109 meetings (Sports Mole (historical data)).
What was the last result between these two teams?
The most recent result is a 2-2 draw on March 4, 2026 at the Etihad Stadium (ESPN (match report)).
Where can I find the full match recap?
Full recaps are available from BBC Sport and ESPN.
Which team had more possession in the match?
Manchester City had 65% possession (Sky Sports (stats)).
Was there a red card in the game?
No red cards were issued (BBC Sport (live coverage)).
What position did Manchester City hold in the league after the match?
City were seven points behind leaders Arsenal after the draw (BBC Sport (live coverage)).
These questions reflect the key points of discussion for fans and analysts alike.
Related reading
- PSG vs Bayern Munich Stats: Head-to-Head & 2026 Results
- Real Oviedo vs Real Madrid Lineups: Confirmed XI 24/08/2025
For Manchester City, the draw against Nottingham Forest dropped them further behind Arsenal in the title race — the implication is clear: cut out these lapses, or watch another Premier League crown slip away. For Forest, the result proves they can compete with elite sides, but they must turn these performances into consistent points to avoid a relegation fight.
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