Title-chasing Manchester City stumbled at home as they were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest to fall seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

With the top two kicking off at the same time on Wednesday evening, the Gunners edged past Brighton while Elliot Anderson's brilliantly-curled finish 13 minutes from time stole a crucial point for Forest at Etihad Stadium.

The visitors had been sitting back and allowed City to dominate possession without really threatening in the opening stages, though Antoine Semenyo sent a warning sign by arrowing an effort into the side-netting.

The hosts made their pressure count just after the half hour mark when Rayan Cherki dinked a cross into the box and January signing Semenyo caressed a delightful volley for his seventh goal since joining City.

Forest had chances on the break either side of the goal but Morgan Gibbs-White's tame effort was gathered low down by Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italy international also batted away a swerving low drive from Igor Jesus.

But against the run of play, Forest drew level on 56 minutes courtesy of skipper Gibbs-White's stunning goal, instinctively backheeling a finish past Donnarumma following Igor Jesus' knock down.

City looked to respond and Erling Haaland's strike deflected off Murillo and looped on to the roof of the net, with midfielder Rodri heading in from the resulting corner to restore their advantage.

But with time running out, England international Anderson curled in from 25 yards out for a precious point which keeps Vitor Pereira's side outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Pep Guardiola's side blinked first.

City led twice against Forest but failed to see out the game and have dropped two priceless points as they aim to chase down Mikel Arteta's men.

Arsenal did their job on the south coast and the north London side now hold a sizeable lead at the summit, albeit City have a game in hand.

City extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions but this may turn out to be a critical gameweek – Semenyo and Rodri scored in each half but the side failed to see out a game against a Forest team that have been out of form.

Star striker Erling Haaland returned to the starting line-up and went round Matz Sels in the first half, but could only steer his shot into the side-netting.

The Norwegian looked to take a similar chance in the second period and appeared to be caught by goalkeeper Sels, but the referee Darren England did not award a spot-kick and video assistant referee Tony Harrington decided not to overturn the decision.

England World Cup hopeful Phil Foden was also back in the 11 – given a start in place of the injured Nico O'Reilly – but failed to make an impact on the game and his worrying form goes on, extending his barren run to 17 games without scoring.

Captain Bernardo Silva did superbly to shimmie in between two Forest players at the start of the second half but a low shot bound for the bottom corner was brilliantly tipped wide by Sels.

Semenyo curled a free-kick inches over during eight minutes of injury-time and Savinho saw an effort cleared off the line by Murillo with the last kick of the game, as City were left disappointed.

Forest were the ones celebrating a point at the end of a frantic second half, but could well have taken home all three as the clocked ticked into added time.

Anderson, who has been linked with a move to City in the summer transfer window, swung in a corner which was met by Ryan Yates at the near post, but the substitute thumped his header the wrong side of the post.

Forest needed to get something out of the game with West Ham beating Fulham and Anderson's equaliser ensured they did not drop into the bottom three but are now perilously close to it.

Despite the unlikely point, Forest remain winless in their last six league games, while ex-Wolves boss Pereira is yet to taste victory as a top-flight manager in 13 attempts this season.

Manchester City are in FA Cup action on Saturday with a trip to Newcastle (kick-off 20:00 GMT), while Nottingham Forest play Midtjylland in the Europa League next Thursday (20:00).