Nottingham Forest took their biggest step yet towards Champions League football by beating Manchester City 1-0, but there was an unsung hero on the pitch on Saturday.
Understandably, Pep Guardiola singled out Callum Hudson-Odoi for praise after the Forest winger scored the late goal to win the match, but there were solid performances across the pitch in the crucial victory.
On the defensive side, Rio Ferdinand hailed Murillo’s performance as the centre-back handled the likes of Erling Haaland with ease in a complete performance from the Forest squad, owing credit to Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactical setup.
Further forward, Forest fans were in awe of Morgan Gibbs-White’s performance as he played the defence-splitting pass for Hudson-Odoi to score whilst also being strong defensively to withstand the possession-based pressure from Guardiola’s side.
However, one Forest star stood out in particular, which may have come as a surprise given that he has struggled in recent weeks.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Nicolas Dominguez shines in battling Nottingham Forest midfield
With Espirito Santo regularly dropping Ryan Yates to the bench in recent fixtures, Saturday saw Nicolas Dominguez have another chance to show his worth next to Elliot Anderson.
Given how Dominguez was ineffective against Arsenal in the previous Premier League fixture, fans may have expected either a Yates return or even a start for Ibrahim Sangare against City, but the Forest manager stuck with the Argentine midfielder to tremendous effect.
Statistic Nicolas Dominguez vs Manchester City
Chances created 1
Duels won (%) 9 (69%)
Tackles won (%) 5 (63%)
Shots on target 1
Dominguez was on form against Manchester City
Before being subbed off with 20 minutes left, Dominguez won nine duels in the heart of midfield, which is a quite remarkable figure given how much pressure City put on Forest with their endless possession.
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City continued to try to break through the lines of the Reds, so Dominguez’s five tackles won did their part in keeping the visitors at bay.
Remarkably, the 26-year-old actually only made 12 passes, so the one chance he created with that was good going, whilst almost scoring himself with an incredible volleyed effort early in the second half.
Without Dominguez, Forest may have struggled to keep City at bay in the first half, especially given that his midfield partner, Anderson, was largely uninvolved.
Nicolas Dominguez covered for Elliot Anderson defensively against Manchester City
Dominguez cost Forest £8m in 2023 but was essentially overshadowed this summer by Anderson, who has spent the majority of this season partnered with Yates at the base of midfield.
Today it was Dominguez and the former Newcastle man, though, who will be thankful that the Argentine was there to cover for his struggling defensive display.
Statistic Elliot Anderson vs Manchester City
Ground duels won (%) 2/11 (18%)
Tackles won 0
Dribbled past 3
Dispossessed 4
Anderson wasn’t at his best against City
Of course, Anderson’s role in the two would’ve been the less defensive, but losing nine of the 11 ground duels he competed in is a disappointing stat.
He was also dribbled past three times and dispossessed a further four times, making it clear that without Dominguez, Anderson’s poor performance may have been more noteworthy.
Clearly, the Englishman has credit in the bank, as Dion Dublin thinks Anderson deserves an England call-up, but against City, he needed the help of Dominguez to get by.