A fresh blow for key Leeds United rivals has presented a big new opportunity for Daniel Farke’s Whites.

Leeds United’s key rivals Nottingham Forest have been dealt a fresh blow in their quest for Premier League survival, presenting a new opportunity for Daniel Farke’s Whites.

Saturday’s action began with fourth-bottom Forest taking on title-chasing Manchester City at the City Ground, Sean Dyche’s side needing a victory to go back above the Whites.

Forest lined up having dropped a point behind Leeds on the back of Monday night’s 1-0 defeat at Fulham which followed United’s brilliant 4-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday night.

Sean Dyche’s side caused City plenty of problems in the first half and then hit back to equalise after Tijjani Reijnders had fired City ahead early into the second half.

City, though, ultimately dealt Forest a fresh blow with seven minutes left as player of the match Rayan Cherki netted a terrific winner which fired his side top and left Forest a point behind Leeds but having played a game more.

The result now offers Leeds the chance to kick four points clear of Forest with a victory at Sunday afternoon’s hosts Sunderland.

Big changes at both ends of the table

City knew a victory would take them top and above Arsenal ahead of the Gunners playing Brighton on Saturday afternoon but Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to get going in the first half which ended without a single shot on target from either side.

The pattern of the game looked set to continue after the break but City broke the deadlock just three minutes after the restart as a superb through ball from Cherki played in Tijjani Reijnders who followed his excellent run into the box with a clinical first-time finish.

Cherki then went close to doubling City’s lead just two minutes later as his shot towards the near post was tipped wide by Forest keeper John Victor.

Instead, Forest drew level four minutes later as a ball back into the box from Igor Jesus set up Omari Hutchinson to slam home a finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City needed to respond but a driving run from Phil Foden ended with his shot being blocked by Erling Haaland and Forest threatened to go 2-1 up.

At the other end, a rare effort from Haaland was hooked over the bar but a brilliant save from Victor then kept out a firm strike from Foden which looked destined to put his side back in front.

City gradually began to turn the screw and Guardiola’s side went back in front with seven minutes left as a knockdown from Josko Gvardiol teed up Cherki who walloped home a terrific finish from the edge of the box.