Manchester City emphatically ended their seven-game winless streak with a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, propelling them to fourth place in the Premier League table. The win provided a much-needed respite for Pep Guardiola, whose team had endured their longest winless run in his managerial career. While City’s performance wasn’t as dazzling as some of their past displays, their clinical finishing and timely goals proved too much for Forest, who remain in sixth place.
The home side drew first blood early in the match. A well-orchestrated attack down the left flank involving Nathan Ake and Ilkay Gundogan resulted in Gundogan delivering a delicate chip to the back post. Kevin De Bruyne, making his first league start since September, met the ball with a precise header across the goal, setting up Bernardo Silva for a simple tap-in within the first ten minutes. Despite missing two clear-cut chances to extend their lead, City maintained their attacking pressure. Forest briefly threatened an equalizer when Chris Wood capitalized on a loose City back pass, but his effort went wide.
City swiftly punished Wood’s miss, doubling their lead just after the half-hour mark. Jeremy Doku expertly bypassed Ryan Yates in midfield before laying the ball off to De Bruyne. The Belgian playmaker, with ample time and space inside the penalty area, took a touch, turned, and unleashed a powerful strike into the net, effectively silencing any lingering nerves within the Etihad. This two-goal cushion provided a sense of relief for Guardiola’s side, allowing them to play with more freedom and control.
The second half began with Nottingham Forest showing more attacking intent, but City weathered the initial pressure and delivered a decisive blow in the 57th minute. A swift counter-attack found Doku in space on the left wing. The young Belgian cut inside and unleashed a magnificent curling effort into the bottom corner, effectively putting the game beyond Forest’s reach. With a three-goal advantage, City continued to push for more, while Forest appeared resigned to their fate. The final whistle brought immense relief to the Etihad faithful, signaling the end of City’s winless run and providing a much-needed boost to their title aspirations.
The convincing victory over a top-half opponent, coupled with Liverpool dropping points, has reignited discussions about Manchester City’s prospects in the title race. While a nine-point gap separates them from the league leaders, City’s history of strong finishes and the return of a key player like De Bruyne offer hope. De Bruyne’s performance underscored his importance to the team, as he orchestrated attacks, set up goals, and even found the net himself. His leadership and confidence were evident, especially during a period where the team had appeared to be lacking both. If Guardiola can maintain De Bruyne’s fitness, City could pose a serious threat to Liverpool’s title ambitions.
Kevin De Bruyne’s masterful performance earned him the Player of the Match award. His first-half display was particularly impressive, as he orchestrated City’s attacks with precision and creativity. He provided the assist for Silva’s opening goal with a clever header and then demonstrated his own scoring prowess with a clinical finish for City’s second goal. He continued to threaten in the second half, only to be denied by some excellent saves from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. De Bruyne’s influence extended beyond his direct contributions to the goals; his leadership and confidence were crucial in galvanizing a City side that had been struggling for form.
The match also showcased the potential of Jeremy Doku, whose impressive goal capped off a fine performance. Doku’s pace and dribbling skills caused problems for the Forest defense throughout the match. The player ratings reflected City’s overall dominance, with De Bruyne receiving the highest rating of 9, followed by Doku with an 8. For Nottingham Forest, Sels and Elanga were among their better performers, both receiving a rating of 7. The victory over Nottingham Forest provides a welcome boost for Manchester City as they prepare for their upcoming match against Crystal Palace. For Forest, the defeat necessitates a regrouping effort before their challenging encounter against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
