Elanga, who has been in strong form for Forest this season, dedicated his goal to the supporters and his teammates
A stunning solo goal from Anthony Elanga in the first half was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United at the City Ground on Tuesday.
The winger’s electric run through the United defense, which started deep inside his own half, saw him finish clinically just five minutes into the match, handing Nuno Espírito Santo’s men all three points in their push for a UEFA Champions League spot.
The match came after Forest’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, and this win further solidified their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season.
It was a trademark counter-attacking move that sealed the victory. Elanga, with lightning pace and composure, sprinted through the heart of the United defense before finishing past goalkeeper David de Gea to give Forest an early lead. The goal took the home side by surprise and set the tone for the match. Following the goal, Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, mounted pressure but struggled to break down Forest’s defense. United’s Harry Maguire was especially guilty of missing golden opportunities to equalize, squandering two chances in the latter stages of the game.
Elanga, who has been in strong form for Forest this season, dedicated his goal to the supporters and his teammates. “I wanted to thank the Forest fans because they’ve supported me so much this season and last season as well,” he said after the match. “It’s credit to all the players that started against Brighton and again today. Tomorrow is all about recovery because we have another big game on Saturday against Villa who are doing well as well.”
With the win, Nottingham Forest moved up to third in the Premier League, a position that sees them eight points clear of Chelsea and nine ahead of Manchester City, who still have matches to play later this week.
Meanwhile, Manchester United remains in a disappointing 13th place, far below expectations for a club of their stature. Amorim expressed frustration with his team’s inability to capitalize on their chances. “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,” said the United manager.
This defeat marks another disappointing result for Manchester United, whose struggles in front of goal continue. For Forest, however, it is another important step in their bid to secure European football next season, and Elanga’s performance remains a standout.
As both teams look to their upcoming fixtures, Forest will aim to continue their strong push for Champions League qualification, while United faces a rebuilding phase with much to improve in their attack.
