Roy Keane believes the Premier League title is Manchester City’s after overcoming a difficult hurdle against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.

Manchester City moved back to within a point of leaders Arsenal at the Premier League summit as Erling Haaland got back on the scoresheet during a routine 2-0 victory at Forest.

Haaland was a second-half substitute and his introduction helped Pep Guardiola’s side motor to victory as he latched onto Kevin De Bruyne’s pass to thunder home his 21st league goal of the season after Josko Gvardiol had already headed City in front from a De Bruyne corner (32).

When asked if defeating Nottingham Forest was Man City’s biggest hurdle left, Keane said: “I think so.

“On the back of the Brighton game on Thursday and Arsenal winning before them, it was a pressure game and Nottingham Forest are obviously fighting hard against relegation.

“With that result at the City Ground, I think the title is Manchester City’s now.”

He added: “It’s all about getting results at this stage of the season. Pep, given the standards he sets, will certainly be concerned with the chances they gave up in the first half, but they had a lot more control in the second half.

“It’s the same old story with City, even when they are not at their best. They know how to win football matches, they have good options off the bench, and they have got into a really good habit of winning matches in recent years.

“I was worried at the start of the game, I wondered if they could slip up, but I think City will win all the rest of their matches now.”

‘Arsenal up against one of the greatest teams we’ve seen’

Meanwhile, Arsenal survived a second-half response from Tottenham earlier on Super Sunday to complete a north London derby victory and ensure they would remain top of the Premier League table until at least next Saturday.

However, Keane believes the Gunners will ultimately fall short in their bid to win a first title in 20 years because of the brilliance of Pep Guardiola’s side, who the former Man Utd midfielder describes as one of the “greatest teams ever seen”.

“The downside for Arsenal is they are against one of the greatest teams we’ve ever seen,” Keane said.

“They have obviously improved again and if they can win their last three games, they will obviously be better again from last year in terms of their points won.

‘Arsenal need to make City win their remaining games’

“Man City are the problem,” he added.

“It’s been the same for Liverpool over the last few years. City are one of the greatest teams we’ve ever seen and that’s the challenge for teams like Arsenal or anyone wanting to challenge.

“It’s not over yet but Arsenal have to make City win their remaining games. That’s all they can do. They can’t let the season finish like last year where they just faded away.

“I think this Arsenal team can do that. They will make City have to win all their remaining games.”

‘Gunners have made progress’

Despite another strong season from Arsenal, it could ultimately end in disappointment with no silverware, but Keane believes Mikel Arteta’s side can take plenty of positives from the campaign.

“100 per cent [Arsenal have made progress]. With the recruitment and the experience from last year they have improved.

“They might look back on that Aston Villa games as the one that cost them, but there’s doubt they’ve made progress.

“Then it is about what happens again in the summer and they need to continue to improve and get better to compete with this amazing Man City team.”