Rayan Cherki struck an 83rd-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest, as Pep Guardiola ended the year 2025 on a high note with an eighth successive win in Nottingham on Saturday.
First Half Performance
The match started slowly, with a goalless first half where neither side had a shot on target. City took the lead three minutes after the break when Tijjani Reijnders calmly finished a well-crafted move.
Late Equaliser and Dramatic Finish
It seemed City would face disappointment as Omari Hutchinson equalised from close range six minutes later, leaving Guardiola’s side anxious about dropping points. However, with time running out, Cherki, who assisted Reijnders’ opener, drilled a low volley through a crowded penalty area and into the net to seal victory for City. This win marked City’s eighth consecutive victory, bringing their total to 40 points from 18 matches in the Premier League table.
Match Highlights
The opening 45 minutes at the City Ground, West Bridgford, lacked Christmas spirit with defences dominating and no shots on target. The festive cheer emerged in the second half, as both teams quickly found the back of the net.
Early on, City encountered a scare when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s dangerous cross evaded Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White. Despite having more possession, City struggled to break down the hosts. Cherki had a looping effort that went over the bar, while Erling Haaland and Phil Foden had their shots blocked from promising positions.
The match came to life shortly after the break when a clever move by Manchester City opened up the home side. Cherki delivered a precise pass past the Forest defence, leading to Reijnders’ clinical finish, celebrated by the jubilant away fans.
Cherki nearly doubled the lead moments later during a quick break, but John Victor deflected the ball onto the outside of the post. City’s lead was short-lived, however, as Hutchinson found the net from Igor Jesus’s cross just six minutes later. Forest’s Brazilian striker Igor Jesus also set up Neco Williams, but Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Williams’ low drive, and Nicola Savona fired the rebound over.
At the other end, John Victor made a superb save to deny Phil Foden’s close-range shot after Foden managed to maneuver into the box. The match took a final twist when a corner was cleared to Cherki, whose first-time effort found its way into the back of the net.