Manchester United won the match 8–1, thereby recording the largest away win in the history of the Premier League until Leicester City's 9–0 victory at Southampton 20 years later.

Manchester United began the month of February on top of the Premier League by one point after beating Charlton Athletic 1–0 away on 31 January to overtake Chelsea, who had lost away to Arsenal by the same margin the previous day.

[5] Dwight Yorke opened the scoring for Manchester United in the second minute, turning home Paul Scholes' right-wing cross after David Beckham's corner from the left had evaded everyone in the penalty area.

Alan Rogers equalised five minutes later after good interplay with Jean-Claude Darcheville, only for Andy Cole to restore United's lead less than a minute later; the English forward was put through by a long ball from the back by Jaap Stam, before rounding Forest goalkeeper Dave Beasant to hit a shot from a narrow angle that defender Jon Olav Hjelde was unable to keep out.

"[6] With just under 11 minutes left on the clock, Beckham spotted an overlapping right-wing run from Gary Neville, and the England full-back played the ball across the face of the goal area.

As the game entered injury time, Scholes played a one-two with John Curtis and then hit a no-look pass to Solskjær on the left side of the penalty area.