Late Cherki Strike Sinks Spirited Nottingham Forest
Rayan Cherki delivered a goal and an assist as Manchester City edged Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the City Ground, extending their winning run and climbing to the summit of the Premier League table.
Manchester City maintained their title momentum with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off, with Rayan Cherki once again proving decisive on a tense afternoon at the City Ground.
The opening half was scrappy and tactical, with Forest setting up in a disciplined shape that limited City’s attacking rhythm. Despite dominating possession, Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to test John Victor in goal, while Erling Haaland was kept unusually quiet by a resolute Forest backline marshalled by Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo. Forest, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counter, with Igor Jesus causing problems through his hold-up play, though neither side managed a shot on target before the break.
City finally found their breakthrough three minutes into the second half. Cherki unlocked the Forest defence with a perfectly weighted slide-rule pass, releasing Tijjani Reijnders down the left side of the box. The Dutch midfielder kept his composure to fire a low finish past the goalkeeper, giving the visitors a deserved lead.
Forest responded immediately and with real quality. A swift counter-attack saw Morgan Gibbs-White thread a pass into Igor Jesus, who squared the ball across goal for Omari Hutchinson to slot home first time in the 54th minute. The equaliser lifted the City Ground and swung momentum back towards the hosts, who began to believe in another famous result against City.
As the game opened up, chances appeared at both ends. Phil Foden was denied by an excellent reflex save from John Victor, while Forest went close through set pieces and blocked efforts inside the box. With City growing frustrated, it was Cherki who stepped up to make the difference once more.
In the 83rd minute, Forest failed to clear a right-sided corner, and Josko Gvardiol’s flick found Cherki inside the area. The Frenchman showed sharp instincts and technique, smashing a bouncing effort into the bottom left corner to silence the home crowd and restore City’s lead.
City saw out the closing stages under pressure, with Forest throwing bodies forward and Sean Dyche introducing Taiwo Awoniyi late on. However, Guardiola’s men held firm to secure an eighth straight league win, a result that lifts them above Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, at least temporarily.
For Forest, the performance was full of fight and organisation, but the result leaves them hovering just above the relegation zone. For City, it was another statement win, powered by Cherki’s growing influence in a side that continues to look every inch a title contender.
