Having won 16 of their last 19 PL games on home turf (D2, L1), City unsurprisingly saw plenty of the ball early on, with Antoine Semenyo firing a powerful strike into the side netting.
Undeterred by that scare, Forest made it through the opening 20 minutes unscathed, and they could have taken a shock lead when Morgan Gibbs-White’s low effort was smartly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The hosts remained the more threatening of the two sides as the first half progressed, though, and their pressure was rewarded in the 31st minute when Antoine Semenyo expertly volleyed home from Rayan Cherki’s delivery to score his 15th PL goal of the season.
City looked to press home their advantage before half-time, as Erling Haaland uncharacteristically failed to convert having rounded Matz Sels, while at the other end, Igor Jesus saw a low drive thwarted by Donnarumma.
Pep Guardiola’s side had conceded 18 of their 25 PL goals in the second half of games, and after Bernardo Silva and Cherki wasted good chances to double the hosts’ lead, Forest drew level with a moment of individual brilliance.
Ola Aina’s cross into the box was nodded back by Jesus into the path of Gibbs-White, who directed an audacious backheel through the legs of Ruben Dias and beyond a bewildered Donnarumma.
That sparked an instant response from City, and the hosts regained their lead just six minutes later, with Rodri heading home from Rayan Aït-Nouri’s inswinging corner.
Determined to avoid a sixth away PL defeat in eight games, Forest refused to lie down without a fight heading into the final 20 minutes.
Vítor Pereira’s men sensed an opportunity, and their attacking intent paid dividends when Elliot Anderson played a one-two with Callum Hudson-Odoi before curling a sublime strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
With title rivals Arsenal leading at Brighton, the Cityzens knew the importance of finding a late winner, but Silva’s goalbound effort was agonisingly blocked in the final seconds as Guardiola’s men ultimately came up short.
They are now seven points adrift of the Gunners, albeit with a game still to play, while the share of the spoils leaves Forest outside of the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
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