Pep Guardiola tells Manchester City they need to earn Champions League spot

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Champions League qualification will not fall from the sky for them after a damaging defeat at Nottingham Forest.

City were beaten 1-0 at the City Ground after Callum Hudson-Odoi caught goalkeeper Ederson out at the near post in the 82nd minute.

It was their ninth defeat of the season, the most since 2019/20, and leaves them looking over their shoulder in the top-four race, with Forest strengthening their own position with a famous win.

Guardiola says his side will have to “win a lot of matches” to get back in the premier European competition next season and that qualification will not be gifted to them.

“We have to win games. We don’t win enough games in a row to be secure,” he said. “We have 10 games left, we have to win a lot of games to qualify. This is how it is.

“To find a way we have to play better. We have to do something, it doesn’t come from the sky. Of course the situation is what it is.

“Ten games left, starting against Brighton next Saturday, international break afterwards and we’ll see what happens.”

Ederson had earlier made a brilliant save to deny Hudson-Odoi, turning onto the post after the Forest man cut in from the left.

The Brazilian made a hash of Hudson-Odoi’s effort from the other side, allowing the former Chelsea winger to squeeze in at the near post.

But Guardiola was attributing no blame.

“It is what it is, we can’t blame a player, I prefer to praise than blame,” he added. “I didn’t see the action. It happens in football, nothing to say.”

Hudson-Odoi’s winner provided a new highlight in a memorable campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

They consolidated their position in third with 10 games to go, four points ahead of City in fourth and five ahead of