They played 120 minutes (plus penalties) against Brighton just three days ago. They played without two very important players: Callum Hudson-Odoi (private reasons) and Chris Wood (Forest won just one of their five Premier League games without him). But they had Anthony Elanga and that was enough today against Red Devils: Nottingham Forest – Manchester United 1-0. Former Red Devil, who spent nine years at Old Trafford never got the chance and had to watch players like Antony or Mason Mount coming for huge amount of money and delivering nothing. But tonight, he had his revenge. He was the best player on the pitch and outrun everybody but his mastery came in the fifth minute of the match. He took the ball deep in his own half, and ran 80 meters in just nine seconds just to score the winner.⚽️ GOAL: Elanga🏴 Nottingham 1-0 Manchester Unitedpic.twitter.com/u2UNqVR1iW— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) April 1, 2025 That was Elanga’s sixth Premier League goal this season, marking his best goal scoring campaign in the process (5 last season). He didn‘t want to celebrate the goal, respecting his former club, but he was surely thrilled inside when his name came on the scoreboard. On the other side, Manchester was on a nice roll with four games without defeat (two wins in a row), but as it turned out, Sociedad and especially Leicester are not so strong opponents. But third-placed Nottingham is. And Forest did the unthinkable – they defeated The Red Devils both times this season.In December, Nuno Espirito Santo became the first Nottingham Forest manager in 114 years to win both of his first two league games against Manchester United.He’s now made it three in a row and completed the club’s first league double over the Red Devils since 1992. 👏 pic.twitter.com/pqtbm58MVG— Squawka (@Squawka) April 1, 2025 The first half started as any football fan can imagine: with a chance and a goal. United had the first chance, when Bruno Fernandes took a shot from 20 meters but Sels saved it and then it was time for Forest. Elanga took the ball and ran almost the whole field only to finish the counter attack by himself and get the home fans on their feet with joy. Manchester soon took over and even finished the first half with 65% possession, but it mattered little, as they had only one chance in the first 45 minutes. Dalot‘s header in the 28th minute eventually hit the crossbar and that was all.23 – In all competitions this season, only Leicester City (25) have conceded the opening goal in more matches among all Premier League sides than Manchester United (23). Uphill. pic.twitter.com/YD5w5qLzbj— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 1, 2025 Amorim introduced Hojlund instead of Ugarte at halftime and the Dane had a chance straight away in the 47th minute. In the 55th minute Yates was offside but still it was a fantastic save from Onana. Garnacho was the liveliest Manchester player in the second half and had a good shot in the 70th minute, which went near the right post. United really pushed in the last 15 minutes of the match, while Forest was in full defense. Dorgu tried in the 76th minute, but his header went straight at Sels. Mount had a fantastic shot as soon as he came on, but the ball whistled near the bar. But the two best opportunities in the game came in the 93rd and 96th and both came from Maguire. He also came from the bench and had a chance from close distance but the ball went over the bar, while in the last minute he was destined to score, but Murillo came out of nowhere and denied him off line.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 30 TuesdayArsenal – Fulham 2-1 (1-0)/Merino 37, Saka 73 – Muniz 90+4/Wolverhampton – West Ham 1-0 (1-0)/Larsen 21/Nott. Forest – Manchester United 1-0 (1-0)/Elanga 5/Wednesday21:45: (1.40) Bournemouth (5.25) Ipswich (8.00)21:45: (2.15) Brighton (3.75) Aston Villa (3.35)21:45: (1.20) Man. City (7.00) Leicester (14.00)21:45: (1.75) Newcastle (4.30) Brentford (4.20)21:45: (5.50) Southampton (3.90) Crystal Palace (1.63)22:00: (1.40) Liverpool (4.60) Everton (8.00)Thursday22:00: (1.65) Chelsea (4.50) Tottenham (4.70)***odds are subject to change***
