Pep Guardiola Declines To Comment On Controversial Penalty Calls In City Forest Draw

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Manchester City dropped two vital Premier League points in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side seven points behind leaders Arsenal. City still hold a game in hand, but the setback at the Etihad Stadium raises pressure ahead of demanding fixtures in the FA Cup and Champions League.

City led twice yet could not close the match out. Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring before Morgan Gibbs-White levelled for Forest. Rodri restored the advantage, only for Elliot Anderson to strike late with a long-range effort that stunned the home crowd and secured a share of the points.

The closing stages brought major frustration for Manchester City, who felt two penalty appeals were ignored. Erling Haaland went down after attempting to round goalkeeper Matz Sels, then Rodri tangled with Anderson while dragging a shot wide. Referee Darren England waved play on both times, and VAR did not recommend a review at the monitor.

Guardiola was asked by TNT Sports for a view on the incidents but refused to be drawn. Guardiola replied: "I have nothing to say." When the question came again, Guardiola shook the head and responded with a single word: "Nothing." The reaction underlined the tension around the decisions.

The draw halted Manchester City’s sequence of seven straight home victories in all competitions. It was also the first time since November 2025, against Leeds United, that City conceded at least two goals at the Etihad Stadium, ending a 12-match stretch in which they had allowed one goal or fewer.

City’s strong habit of starting well at home did continue. Leading 1-0 at half-time, they extended a run of holding the advantage at the break in 11 consecutive Premier League home fixtures. That streak is the second-longest in the club’s home league history, behind a sequence of 12 between May 2023 and January 2024.

Manchester City still had late opportunities to win. Semenyo went close from a stoppage-time free-kick, forcing Sels into action. Moments later, substitute Savinho saw a final attempt blocked on the goal-line, as Forest defended desperately to secure a point that checked City’s pursuit of Arsenal.

After the match, Guardiola focused on the wider title picture and the fixtures to come. "There are a lot of games to play, so we have to continue, Guardiola said. We are disappointed for the result. We did everything again. We had the chances at the end, especially, but yeah, we keep going. Of course, a game at home, at this stage of the season, it's important, but keep going, we have time to look back and look forward. Now it's onto Newcastle [United] in the FA Cup, Real Madrid in the Champions League, and we go game by game."

The draw leaves Manchester City still firmly involved on three fronts but with slimmer room for error in the league. With Arsenal ahead and knockout ties against Newcastle United and Real Madrid approaching, the Forest result frames a crucial period in City’s season, both domestically and in Europe.