LONDON: Liverpool’s charge towards the Premier League title was halted by stubborn Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw between the top two on Tuesday as Manchester City’s resurgence came undone in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Chris Wood fired Forest in front early on at a raucous City Ground, but Liverpool dominated almost the entire 97 minutes and got back on level terms thanks to substitute Diogo Jota’s goal with his first touch.

Only a brilliant goalkeeping performance from Matz Sels den­ied the leaders victory, but the point maintained a six-point cus­hion over Forest for Arne Slot’s men, who also have a game in hand.

Forest had won their last seven games in all competitions to raise the possibility of matching Leicester City’s incredible title win of 2015/16.

The in-form Wood had the home fans believing after just eight minutes when he slotted in Anthony Elanga’s pass.

Liverpool enjoyed over 70 per cent possession and had 23 shots on goal but only posed a serious threat in front of goal after the break.

Jota had only been on the field a matter of seconds when he nodded in Kostas Tsimikas’ corner.

Sels then made incredible saves to deny Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo a winner, while Salah also had a goalbound effort cleared off the line.

“I could not have asked for more,” said Slot. “Second half was outstanding. There are not many teams that can create so many chances against an opponent so defensively strong. Unfor­tunately we couldn’t get a second.”

Meanwhile, any suggestion City could get themselves back in the title race was ended in a late collapse in west London as Brentford struck twice in the final 10 minutes for a deserved point.

Phil Foden’s double had City on course for a fourth consecutive win after a run of just one victory in 13 games.

However, the English champions’ defending was not convincing all night and they were punished as Yoane Wissa and Chris­tian Norgaard netted for the Bees.

Pep Guardiola will reflect on a missed opportunity to make up ground on the top four as City remain down in sixth, 12 points off the top.

“We are not (at our best) and we didn’t take the right decisions,” said Guardiola. “It’s fine, it’s not a good place to come. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win.”

At Stamford Bridge, fourth-placed Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.

Cole Palmer’s cool finish from Nicolas Jackson’s through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start.

But Bournemouth hit back through Justin Kluivert’s penalty, before Antoine Semenyo’s blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front.

James has endured another injury-hit season but showed his quality by curling home a free-kick at the death.

Elsewhere, West Ham United boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.

Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paq­ueta were on target for the Hammers.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2025