United's problems deepen, and City stumbles again

LONDON — Ruben Amorim's Manchester United honeymoon is truly over it seems. Nottingham Forest inflicted his side's second straight Premier League defeat on Saturday, while its crosstown rival Manchester City stumbled again.

Leader Liverpool maintained its seven-point lead at the top of the table, even though its match at Everton was postponed as Storm Darragh battered Britain's west coast.

Amorim replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford last month after a terrible start to the season. He began brightly enough, with a draw and two wins in his first three games.

But, reality is starting to bite hard after a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Arsenal in midweek followed by Saturday's chastening 3-2 loss to high-flying Forest, who capitalized on United's defensive frailty.

United forward Rasmus Hojlund canceled out Nikola Milenkovic's early goal at Old Trafford, but Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood put the visiting side in charge. Forest kept the home side at bay after Bruno Fernandes pulled one back.

United's Andre Onana was embarrassed by a swerving Gibbs-White strike for Forest's second, while the goalkeeper, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt all failed to deal with a looping Wood header for the third.

The win lifts Forest to fifth in the Premier League table. United is languishing in 13th spot.

"Tough game in a tough moment, but we have to continue the job," a disappointed Amorim told the BBC.

"This is a long journey. We are improving in some aspects. We have to win games to help us improve the team.

"We are at the start of something so big that we pay attention to every detail. We already know it's a big job, so we have to continue."

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: "I'm very proud of the way we work together, build things together, from the owner to everyone else in the club.

"It's a moment to celebrate, but for me, I'm thinking about (next week's match against) Aston Villa."

Blown chance

Manchester City failed to win for the eighth time in nine games in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

Pep Guardiola's men had the chance to go second in the table, but failed to build on an encouraging 3-0 win over Forest in midweek.

Daniel Munoz fired the home team ahead early, but Erling Haaland's towering header leveled the score.

The visitor started the second half strongly, but was hit with a sucker punch when Maxence Lacroix powered home a Will Hughes corner.

Rico Lewis found the top corner to level once more for City, but was then sent off six minutes from time.

"We fought incredibly. We came back twice," said Guardiola. "We gave everything and we take a point."

Fourth-placed City is eight points behind Liverpool, and a fifth straight Premier League title is looking increasingly unlikely.

The final league derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park will be rescheduled after Storm Darragh caused havoc with high winds and heavy rain.

Meanwhile, Brentford continues to enjoy the best home record in the division, and made it seven wins from eight games at the Gtech Community Stadium with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Newcastle.

Bryan Mbeumo, who has been linked with a move to the Magpies, opened the scoring with a sensational individual effort.

Newcastle quickly leveled through Alexander Isak, and was forced to do so for a second time in the first half through Harvey Barnes, after Yoane Wissa scored a second for Brentford.

But, calamitous defending cost Newcastle in the second period, when Nathan Collins prodded home from goalkeeper Mark Flekken's long ball forward.

Kevin Schade then sealed the points for the Bees.

"The players are growing, a lot of the players here for a while have taken another step up," said Brentford boss Thomas Frank, whose team is seventh in the table.

"I would like to carry on this home form, but some wins on the road would be welcome too."

Aston Villa beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton 1-0 thanks to Jhon Duran's goal in his first Premier League start of the season.

AFP