Manchester City suffered a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday: their ninth defeat in the Premier League already this season.
Less than a year ago, Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions for a fourth-straight year. This season, with 10 games left to play, Pep Guardiola’s side are 20 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table.
Man City are instead playing for the FA Cup now with a quarter-final tie against Bournemouth booked after a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle. But the race for 4th may take equal precedent with City at risk of falling out of contention after their 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second half goal piled more pressure on the struggling Cityzens, with fans having plenty to say on social media after what was another tired performance.
And of course, neutrals and pundits will also weigh in with their verdicts. Chris Sutton is the latest.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Chris Sutton’s 14-word verdict on Manchester City after defeat vs Forest
Going into the game at the City Ground, Sutton backed Man City to win 2-1, despite Forest having had a brilliant season so far under Nuno Espirito Santo. After the win, the Reds remain in 3rd and are now four points ahead of City in 4th.
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Paul Merson also predicted a Man City win at Forest. But it was another miserable defeat for Guardiola who may yet have his work cut out in the upcoming summer transfer window, which will at least bring an end to this turbulent season.
In fact, Sutton thinks City have only been good at one thing this season: being inconsistent. He said on Radio 5 Live after the game: “It is no surprise from City anymore. They have been consistent with their inconsistency.”
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Man City’s next five fixtures in all competitions
For Guardiola, securing FA Cup glory and a spot in the top four in the Premier League may hold equal weight. But neither is guaranteed with City facing a real uphill battle in both.
Next up, City welcome Brighton to the Etihad before their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Bournemouth. Then there’s a game against Leicester City, Manchester United at Old Trafford, and then Crystal Palace.
So there’s some huge games coming up for Man City who could end the day outside the top four, with defeat at Forest leaving City in danger of being leapfrogged by the trailing pack in the race for 4th.
City against Brighton kicks off at 3pm next Saturday.