Manchester City won late on at Nottingham Forest as Rayan Cherki inspired their sixth-straight Premier League win and eighth-straight victory in all competitions.
WATCH — Full match replay
Tiijani Reijnders put City ahead early in the second half but plucky Nottingham Forest equalized soon after through Omari Hutchinson and Sean Dyche’s side made life very difficult for City.
But the brilliant Cherki, who set up Reijnders’ goal, scored the winner as he drilled home a low finish in front of the City fans to send everyone from a City perspective, particularly Pep Guardiola, wild.
With the win City move on to 40 points and momentarily went top of the table ahead of Arsenal. Forest remain in the relegation scrap and are on 18 points.
Cherki’s magic the difference
This was generally a clunky, tired display from Man City but Rayan Cherki’s magic won them the game. He’s been doing that a lot recently as he leads the Premier League in assists and he grabbed another with a delightfully timed pass and then smashed home the winner late on. With injuries and a new league and country to move to, it has taken Cherki a little while to get going at City. But his individual quality is clear and Guardiola has found the perfect spot for him in this team. He and Foden create so many chances and chaos and having a playmaker like Cherki in tight games like this is the reason you sign him. He made the difference. It’s too early to say it, but his passing and flicks are reminiscent of Kevin de Bruyne. It will take many years for Cherki to get anywhere close to KDB’s impact at City but he has the potential to get close.
What’s next?
Forest host Everton on Tuesday, December 30. City head to Sunderland on Thursday, January 1.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City score: 1-2
Hutchinson 55'; Reijnders 48', Cherki 83'
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Cherki surely wins it!
After Haaland was set free but Milenkovic managed to clear for a corner, a beautiful corner routine is whipped in to the back post. Gvardiol nods it down and Cherki smashes a beautiful low shot which just sneaks in. City’s players and fans go wild and they have the lead late on!
Brilliant save from Victor!
Lovely quick feet from Foden in the box and his low shot is going in but somehow John Victor sticks out a leg to save from close range. Sensational goalkeeping.
It is all Forest!
Lovely pressure from Forest and it ends with Williams’ low shot saved by Donnarumma, but he can only push it out to the onrushing Savona. However, he is off balance and his shot is way over. Decent chance for Forest and they are swinging in crosses galore and look the more likely to win it late on.
Hutchinson equalizes!
Forest have an equalizer. Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White combine on the break and find Igor Jesus. He clips a lovely ball to the back post for Omari Hutchinson to volley home. That was Forest’s first shot on target. 1-1. Game on!
Good save from Victor as Cherki hits the post
City are flowing forward now. Cherki dribbles towards goal and tries to sneak home a shot at the near post but Victor gets a good hand on it and tips the ball onto the post.
Reijnders finishes a slick move!
Lovely through ball from Cherki and Reijnders slots home through Victor. The Dutch midfielder has now scored three in his last five Premier League games. Sean Dyche is fuming on the sidelines. Moments after that possible red card for Dias, City have taken the lead with their first shot on target.
Dias lucky to not get a second yellow
Right at the start of the second half Igor Jesus is away and Ruben Dias comes over and clips him. Dias is already on a yellow and should probably get a second and be sent off. But he escapes further punishment.
Very even game so far
At half time there is very little in this game. Forest are looking sharp on the counter. City are having plenty of the ball but Forest aren’t giving up many chances and are playing deep. City have barely created a chance and Guardiola doesn’t look pleased.
Cherki lobs just over
A mistake from Forest allows City to take a quick throw-in and Silva sets up Cherki. He lobs the ball towards goal but just over and is caught by Milenkovic just as he shoots. VAR has a quick check for a foul, but no penalty kick is given.
Forest should be 1-0 up!
A delicious cross from the left from Callum Hudson-Odoi looks certain to be flicked in by either Igor Jesus or Morgan Gibbs-White, but they both somehow miss the ball! Gibbs-White in particular looked certain to score. He can’t believe he’s missed. What a massive chance for Forest and that is pure quality from CHO.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Victor; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Silva, Foden; Haaland
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
OUT: Dan Ndoye (undisclosed), Ryan Yates (hamstring) Willy Boly (international duty - AFCON), Ibrahima Sangare (international duty - AFCON), Chris Wood (knee), Ola Aina (undisclosed)
Man City team news, focus
OUT: Rodri (hamstring - MORE), John Stones (unspecified), Jeremy Doku (unspecified), Rayan Ait-Nouri (international duty - AFCON), Omar Marmoush (international duty - AFCON), Mateo Kovacic (ankle), Oscar Bobb (thigh)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City preview
After a bumpy start to the season, Pep Guardiola’s side is firing on all cylinders now and simply outscoring anyone and everyone put before them (17 goals in five games and at least three in every game). However, the real cause for Guardiola’s cheer this time of year must be the three straight clean sheets (and 3-0 victories), after struggling defensively the last 18 months. With Erling Haaland (19 goals in 17 games) barreling toward his own single-season goals record (36, in 2022-23), they look like giants that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are going to have to somehow slay in order to finally win the Premier League title.
As for Nottingham Forest, things are looking up with a run of 4W-1D-3L under new head coach Sean Dyche. Talk about turbulent starts, Forest fired two managers in the first eight games of the season and had just five points to their name when Dyche took over.
Nottingham Forest vs Man City prediction
An early goal for Man City will spell a world of trouble for Forest, as they then have to take more risks and chances — just what City want. Forest 0-2 Man City.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30 am ET, Saturday
Venue: City Ground
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Stream live on NBC.com
