My message to my joyous friend at the City Ground on early Saturday afternoon read as follows: ‘Absolutely magnificent! Mark my words, that is the biggest triumph of all your triumphs since returning to the top flight two and a half years ago! Wonderful achievement you must be buzzing!’
The truth is, he probably will be for the rest of the week and, at the time of writing, I assume the reason I’ve not heard back is because he’s still partying!
That’s because the victory which kickstarted the latest Premier League weekend was truly a special one.
For Nottingham Forest to defeat the reigning champions Manchester City wasn’t just the latest in their set of Premier League 2025 highlights.
This was a victory that will long be remembered in this part of the world for many years to come.
To go toe-to-toe with the team which, until recently, have been the undisputed best in England for some time, and not just beat them but produce an exceptional display across 90 plus minutes, really does deserve the plaudits.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored late in the second half to earn the points and keep them in third place in the standings after an all-round team display which combined character with class and a fighting spirit to boot.
With seven minutes of an otherwise uneventful contest remaining, Hudson-Odoi collected a superb pass from Morgan Gibbs-White in his stride before beating City goalkeeper Ederson at his near post to send the home fans into ecstasy.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has, quite frankly, worked wonders in “Robin Hood” country, and it has been a true team effort from a squad which has every right to dream about possible European qualification.
After a first win at Liverpool since 1969, a first win at Manchester United since 1994, Forest have beaten Manchester City in the league for the first time in 28 years. They can smell the Champions League.
If Forest’s dream of the Champions League is a realistic one, the Premier League dream for Liverpool appears a cert.
Against the weakest club in the league, even an under-par performance was enough to see off bottom club Southampton, helped by two second half penalties from the league’s top scorer Mohamed Salah.
The Saints’ misfortune was compounded by the loss of captain Jan Bednarek to injury in the first half and the fact they should arguably have been playing 10 men in the second period as striker Darwin Nunez avoided a red card and then rubbed salt into the wounds with the hosts’ first goal.
If the Saints looked doomed, it doesn’t look too much better for Ipswich who went down to Ismaila Sarr’s goal – the only one of the contest at Selhurst Park – 10 minutes from time.
That extended Crystal Palace’s run to just one defeat in 13 games and leaves the ‘Tractor Boys’ five points from safety.
Two clubs with one eye on Wembley and the FA Cup clashed on the south coast and looked set to share the spoils until right at the death when the hosts were awarded a penalty.
Joao Pedro duly converted and Brighton had the points.
Raul Jimenez had put Fulham in front with a well-taken volley after some neat chest control at the far post but Brighton struck back six minutes later through Jan Paul van Hecke.
The winning goal means the Seagulls have won four consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since 1981.
Another team with their eyes on Europe, both in the cup and via the league, is Bournemouth, who drew 2-2 at Spurs.
That this SBOTOP writer feels they’ll probably be disappointed with the point in North London speaks volumes for their progress under Andoni Iraola.
Marcus Tavernier set them on their way and the advantage was doubled through a smart Evanilson finish.
That Spurs hit back within two minutes in fortuitous circumstances, a Pape Sarr cross looped towards goal and in, gave the hosts renews impetus and they were rewarded six minutes from time when captain Son Heung-min, a half-time substitute, netted a late penalty.
If the Premier League 2025 betting odds on any form of title race weren’t long over, they are now after the other club from North London were held at Old Trafford.
Despite missing key men, which was evident by a very youthful substitutes’ bench, a spirited display from the hosts ensured the honours ended even.
Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes – who else –had put United in front with a super free-kick in first half stoppage time and, after Declan Rice equalised with 16 minutes remaining, it was the United captain who almost nicked it at the very end but for a fine stop from David Raya, one of three saves he made late on to make amends for poor positioning in conceding the opener.
A point apiece in a clash between two big guns without the big prize at stake.
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