LONDON: Liverpool`s charge towards the Premier League title was halted by stubborn Nottingham Forest in a 1-1 draw between the top two on Tuesday as Manchester City`s resurgence came undone in a 2-2 draw at Brentford.

Chris Wood fired Forest in front early on at a raucous City Ground, but Liverpool dominated almost the entire 97 minutes and got back on level terms thanks to substitute Diogo Jota`s goal with his first touch.

Only a brilliant goalkeeping performance from Matz Sels denied the leaders victory, but the point maintained a six-point cushion over Forest for Arne Slot`s men, who also have a game in hand.

Forest had won their last seven games in all competitions to raise the possibility of matching Leicester City`s incredible title win of 2015/16.

The in-form Wood had the home fans believing after just eight minutes when he slotted in Anthony Elanga`s pass.

Liverpool enjoyed over 70 per cent possession and had 23 shots on goal but only posed a serious threat in front of goal after the break.

Jota had only been on the field a matter ofseconds when he nodded in Kostas Tsimikas` corner.

Sels then made incredible saves to deny Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo a winner, while Salah also had a goalbound effort cleared offthe line.

`I could not have asked for more,` said Slot. `Second half was outstanding. There are not many teams that can create so many chances against an opponent so defensively strong. Unfortunately we couldn`t get a second.

Meanwhile, any suggestion City could get themselves back in the title race was ended in a late collapse in west London as Brentford struck twice in the final 10 minutes for a deserved point.

Phil Foden`s double had City on course for a fourth consecutive win after a run of just one victory in 13 games.

However, the English champions` defending was not convincing all night and they were punished as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard netted for the Bees.

Pep Guardiola will reflect on a missed opportunity to make up ground on the top four as City remain down in sixth, 12 pointsoff the top.

`We are not (at our best) and we didn`t take the right decisions,` said Guardiola. `It`s fine, it`s not a good place to come. Unfortunately, we couldn`t win.

At Stamford Bridge, fourth-placed Chelsea`s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James` stoppagetime equaliser salvaging a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth.

Cole Palmer`s cool finish from Nicolas Jackson`s through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start.

But Bournemouth hit back through Justin Kluivert`s penalty, before Antoine Semenyo`s blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front.

James has endured another injury-hit season but showed his quality by curling home a free-kick at the death.

Elsewhere, West Ham United boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.

Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta were on target for the Hammers.-AFP