Title hopefuls Manchester City slipped up on home turf after being held to a draw by relegation-battling Nottingham Forest, leaving them seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
With both leading sides playing simultaneously on Wednesday night, the Gunners narrowly defeated Brighton, while Elliot Anderson’s superbly curled strike 13 minutes from the end earned Forest a vital point at the Etihad Stadium.
Forest initially sat deep, allowing City to control possession without posing much danger early on, although Semenyo offered a glimpse of threat by firing into the side-netting.
City capitalised on their dominance shortly after the half-hour mark when Rayan Cherki floated a cross into the area and January arrival Semenyo guided in an exquisite volley his seventh goal since joining the club.
Forest threatened on the counterattack before and after that opener, but Morgan Gibbs-White’s weak attempt was comfortably collected by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who also parried away a dipping low strike from Igor Jesus.
Despite City’s control, Forest equalised in the 56th minute through captain Gibbs-White’s brilliant improvisation, cleverly backheeling beyond Donnarumma after Igor Jesus headed the ball into his path.
City pressed for a reply, and Erling Haaland’s effort took a deflection off Murillo before looping onto the top of the net. From the ensuing corner, Rodri powered home a header to put them back in front.
However, late drama followed as England international Anderson curled home from 25 yards to secure a valuable draw, keeping Vitor Pereira’s side just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
