Nottingham Forest etched their name into the history books by completing their first-ever Premier League double over Manchester United, clinching a hard-fought 1-0 win at the City Ground. The result leaves Ruben Amorim�s Manchester United still searching for consecutive league victories this season, as Forest�s resolute defending and a moment of brilliance from Anthony Elanga proved decisive.
The match began with United showing early intent. Bruno Fernandes tested Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with a long-range strike, but the Belgian parried it to safety. However, from the resulting United corner, Forest turned defense into attack with devastating effect. Ryan Yates� headed clearance fell to Elanga, who embarked on a blistering solo run from deep in his own half. The former United winger outpaced the defense before firing a clinical left-footed shot past Andre Onana, igniting the City Ground in the 15th minute.
The goal marked the 23rd time this season that United have conceded first across all competitions, a statistic bettered only by Leicester City (25) among Premier League sides. Despite the setback, Amorim�s men responded with vigor. Casemiro headed wide from a Fernandes corner, and Diogo Dalot came agonizingly close when his header from another Fernandes delivery struck the crossbar.
Forest, buoyed by Elanga�s stunning opener, offered little else in attack and suffered a blow when Ola Aina limped off injured before halftime. United, meanwhile, continued to press, with Fernandes pulling the strings, though they lacked the ruthlessness to breach Forest�s stubborn backline.
The second half maintained its frenetic pace. Morgan Gibbs-White fired over the bar after Alejandro Garnacho�s error in midfield, while the young Argentine nearly redeemed himself with a speculative shot that drifted just wide. Garnacho later saw a promising effort blocked by the tireless Yates, epitomizing Forest�s defensive resolve.
United�s attacking play was fluid but toothless. Sels remained largely untested, comfortably collecting a header from Patrick Dorgu, set up yet again by Fernandes. Substitutes Mason Mount and Harry Maguire nearly turned the tide late on�Mount�s curling shot sailed inches wide on his return from injury, while Maguire headed wide and saw a last-gasp effort cleared off the line by Murillo.
Forest held firm to secure a gritty victory, extending their unbeaten home league run to nine matches and solidifying their grip on third place in the Premier League standings. The win underscored their remarkable campaign under Nuno Esp�rito Santo, with Elanga�s moment of magic proving the difference.
For Manchester United, the defeat marked their second consecutive away league loss to Forest�a feat not seen since 1990�and left them languishing in 13th place. Amorim, reflecting on the result, said, �We created chances but couldn�t find the finish. We need to be more clinical.� Meanwhile, Forest fans celebrated a historic night, as their side continues to defy expectations in a season that promises much more to come.
