Manchester United vs. Nottingham Forest

 "Elanga Shocks Manchester United with Decisive Winner for Nottingham Forest"

Last weekend, the defining image was Ryan Yates racing toward the Nottingham Forest supporters in celebration. This time, another electrifying moment at breakneck speed delivered victory. The star? Anthony Elanga, who blazed across the City Ground turf, covering 85 meters in just nine exhilarating seconds to score the decisive goal against his former club. His strike not only sealed a crucial win but also kept Forest’s improbable Champions League qualification hopes alive.

The drama didn’t end there. Deep into stoppage time—six minutes and 18 seconds, to be exact—Harry Maguire, deployed as an emergency striker by manager Ruben Amorim, nearly snatched a late equalizer. His close-range effort seemed destined for the net, but Murillo heroically cleared it off the line with what was virtually the last kick of the game. Moments later, with Forest securing their first league double over United since the 1991-92 season under Brian Clough, "Rockin’ All Over the World" echoed through the stadium, while fireworks lit up the Trent Bridge sky.

Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the mastermind behind his team’s rise, could barely watch as Murillo’s last-gasp clearance unfolded. “It was massive for us—better than a goal, wasn’t it?” he reflected.

“We were under pressure, but it was all about heart and belief. I’m incredibly proud of the players. When the energy runs low, belief has to take over. What can I do to stop the ball from going in? That moment summed up our dedication and commitment.”

This was yet another triumph for Forest’s defensive resilience. Late in the game, Nikola Milenkovic and substitute Morato launched desperate clearances to thunderous applause, ensuring that Forest held firm and walked away with a historic victory.

As the final whistle blew, Murillo dropped to his knees inside the six-yard box, offering a prayer of gratitude. His teammates lined up to embrace him, recognizing his game-saving contributions. The last Nottingham Forest player to leave the pitch was Ryan Yates—a lifelong Forest man who joined the club at just eight years old. Having climbed through all five tiers of English football, he now finds himself dreaming of competing against Europe’s elite.

Forest sit third in the Premier League, 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle, though the Magpies have two games in hand. Yates played a key role in a heated midfield battle, particularly against Bruno Fernandes, while Alejandro Garnacho’s mounting frustration was evident when he received a booking for kicking the ball away in the second half—symbolic of a Manchester United side struggling for attacking sharpness.

Diogo Dalot came closest for United in the first half, rattling the woodwork with a header, while substitute Mason Mount nearly marked his return—his first appearance since December—with a late goal. Yet, remarkably, United’s wait for consecutive league wins under Ruben Amorim continues.

Forest fans, in contrast, were in jubilant spirits long before kickoff, still reveling in their side’s FA Cup semi-final qualification—their first since 1991. The City Ground faithful made their voices heard, chanting, "We’re going to Wembley," before the match had even begun. And after another statement victory, their dreams of European football feel more real than ever.

Manchester United registered the first shot of the match, with Bruno Fernandes testing Matz Sels in the Nottingham Forest goal. But what followed moments later was a devastating counterattack that led to Anthony Elanga’s stunning fifth-minute opener.

It all started with Ryan Yates, who cleared a recycled Fernandes cross with a powerful header. The ball soared over referee Jarred Gillett and bounced 10 yards outside the Forest penalty area. Elanga reacted instantly, controlling it with his studs before surging forward at blistering speed.

As he raced past the halfway line, Alejandro Garnacho and Patrick Dorgu desperately tried to catch him. Garnacho lunged in but was left on the turf, while Dorgu struggled to keep pace. United’s Noussair Mazraoui hesitated—unsure whether to challenge Elanga or track back—while the run of Morgan Gibbs-White to his left added to the chaos.

By the time Dorgu hit the ground, it was too late. Elanga exploited the widening gap between Mazraoui and Dorgu, driving forward before slotting a precise left-footed shot into the bottom corner. His run had started inside the Forest penalty area, reading Yates’ clearance perfectly. Incredibly, he took just two touches inside his own half before launching into full flight.

When told he was credited with the assist, Yates couldn’t help but laugh. “I headed it in the six-yard box,” he said with a grin.

Once again, Manchester United looked to Bruno Fernandes to spark a comeback. Rasmus Højlund was introduced at halftime for Manuel Ugarte, while Christian Eriksen replaced Casemiro just before the hour mark. Yet, despite the changes, United struggled to pose a real threat—at least until Harry Maguire’s late attacking cameo.

Nottingham Forest, however, stood firm, showcasing their defensive strength in crucial moments. Murillo’s last-gasp intervention stole the spotlight, but he wasn’t alone in heroics. Earlier, Neco Williams produced a brilliant block to deny Alejandro Garnacho, while Ryan Yates delivered a game-saving moment of his own.

Garnacho, after effortlessly controlling a pinpoint diagonal pass from Fernandes, set his sights on goal. With quick stepovers and a slick cut inside, he seemed to have beaten Yates. But just as he pulled the trigger, Yates flung himself into the shot, blocking it with his right boot—an intervention as vital as any goal.

It was no surprise that Yates celebrated with a fist pump toward the Brian Clough Stand. After back-to-back statement wins in just four days, Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo summed up the mood: “Over the moon. We are delighted.”