In an electrifying Premier League showdown at the City Ground, Anthony Elanga ignited the game with a stunning breakaway goal, securing a 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest over his former club, Manchester United. The 23-year-old Swede, who left Old Trafford two years ago, showcased his determination by sprinting nearly two-thirds of the pitch to score just five minutes into the match! ⚡️
Nottingham Forest continue to defy expectations this season. Under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, the side now sits eight points clear of Chelsea in fourth place and is edging closer to a return to Europe’s elite competitions after a 45-year wait. On the other hand, Manchester United, struggling to find their cutting edge, have dropped to 13th in the standings after their first league loss in five matches.
Key moments included Diogo Dalot’s near-miss header that rattled the crossbar, and a late effort from substitute Mason Mount that veered wide. United boss Ruben Amorim summed it up, saying, "We controlled the game, but we already knew this team can score goals out of nothing. When they scored we changed the game a little bit from what they want. We tried with good opportunities, but in the last third, the last pass, the last assist wasn't there. Then if we don't have that, we cannot score goals."
Building on a narrow win at Old Trafford last December, Forest were determined to complete a historic double over United—a feat that hasn’t been achieved since the 1991-92 season under Brian Clough. Even with fresh faces like Rasmus Hojlund and Harry Maguire introduced for United, the visitors couldn’t break through, allowing Forest to notch their 23rd opening goal of the season, a record so far.
This vibrant match proved that passion, hard work, and a dash of youthful flare can transform a game into an epic encounter, leaving fans buzzing and hopeful for what’s next in the Premier League.
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Elanga fires Nottingham Forest to victory over Manchester United
cgtn.com
