Rayan Cherki struck an 83rd-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest as Pep Guardiola ended 2025 on a perfect note with an eighth successive win at the City Ground on Saturday.
After a goalless first half in which neither side managed a shot on target, Tijjani Reijnders fired City ahead three minutes after the restart, calmly finishing a well-worked move.
It appeared City would be denied a perfect December when Omari Hutchinson equalised from close range six minutes later, leaving Guardiola’s side fearing the loss of two points.
With time ticking away, Cherki—who had also provided the assist for Reijnders’ opener—drilled a low volley through a crowded penalty area and into the net to seal victory and maximum points. The win was City’s eighth in a row and lifted them to 40 points from 18 matches in the Premier League.
There was little festive cheer at the City Ground in West Bridgford during an ill-tempered opening 45 minutes, with defences on top and no shots on target. The goals arrived in quick succession after the interval, bringing the contest to life.
City survived an early scare when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s dangerous cross evaded both Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White inside the six-yard box. Although City dominated possession, they struggled to break down the hosts, with Cherki looping one effort over the bar, while Erling Haaland and Phil Foden saw shots blocked from promising positions.
The match burst into life shortly after the break when a slick City move cut open the Forest defence. Cherki slid a pass down the channel for Reijnders, who finished clinically in front of the travelling supporters.
The Dutch midfielder nearly doubled the lead moments later on a quick break, but John Victor got a touch to divert the ball onto the outside of the post.
However, City’s lead lasted only six minutes, as Hutchinson converted Igor Jesus’s cross from close range. Forest went close to taking the lead soon after when Igor Jesus set up Neco Williams, whose low drive was well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Nicola Savona fired the rebound over the bar.
At the other end, John Victor produced a superb save to deny Phil Foden from close range after the midfielder wriggled into the box. The decisive moment arrived late on when a corner was cleared to Cherki, whose first-time strike found its way into the back of the net.
(IANS)
