Pep Guardiola insisted his Manchester City side can still improve after a frustrating 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the Etihad. The result leaves City's Premier League title hopes hanging by a thread, with Arsenal now nine points clear at the top.
City took the lead through Antoine Semenyo's clever first-half finish, but Forest equalised early in the second half when Morgan Gibbs-White backheeled through Ruben Dias' legs. Rodri restored City's advantage with a powerful header from a corner, his first league goal since the final day of last season.
However, Forest struck again through Elliot Anderson's curling effort from outside the box. Guardiola introduced Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku, and Abdukodir Khusanov in an attempt to salvage the win, but City could not find a third goal despite late penalty shouts and a goal-line clearance.
Guardiola defended his players, saying the performance was not far off their best. 'We created chances, we fought until the end. Sometimes football gives you these results. We need to be more clinical and solid defensively,' he told the Manchester Evening News.
City now face a critical run of fixtures, starting with the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal in March. Guardiola acknowledged the gap at the top but insisted his side will keep fighting. 'We know we can play better, but we have to show it on the pitch. The season is not over yet.'
