Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, moving temporarily to the top of the Premier League table. Rayan Cherki starred with a goal and an assist, helping extend City's winning streak to eight games. The result puts pressure on title rivals Arsenal, who later reclaimed the summit with a win over Brighton.
On a rainy afternoon at the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest honored club legend John Robertson, Manchester City claimed a 2-1 win to leapfrog Arsenal at the Premier League summit—for a few hours at least. The match kicked off at 12:30 GMT, with Pep Guardiola's side entering on an eight-game winning run in the league, their most recent a 3-0 triumph over West Ham on December 20.
The first half was cagey, with few clear chances. Forest created the best opportunity when Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross evaded Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White, bouncing out for a goal kick. City dominated possession but struggled to break down the hosts' defense.
The game ignited after halftime. In the 48th minute, Cherki's sublime reverse pass set up Tijjani Reijnders to sweep the ball into the far corner past goalkeeper John Victor, giving City the lead. Moments later, Cherki's shot from a tight angle was parried by Victor.
Forest equalized in the 57th minute through a swift counter. Gibbs-White won the ball from Reijnders, fed Jesus, whose chipped cross found Omari Hutchinson unmarked to volley home from 15 yards. The goal highlighted Forest's resurgence under Sean Dyche, who made one change from their prior 1-0 loss to Fulham, inserting Nicolas Dominguez for Douglas Luiz.
City responded with pressure. Phil Foden's shot was saved superbly by Victor in the 72nd minute, and Erling Haaland volleyed over soon after. The winner came in the 85th minute: Foden's corner was headed down by Josko Gvardiol to Cherki, who rifled a low half-volley through traffic and Gibbs-White's legs into the bottom corner.
Forest protested, claiming a foul by Nico O Reilly on Gibbs-White, but replays showed minimal contact. Guardiola praised the 'incredible' Forest side post-match: 'All the kilos I won over Christmas time in weight, today I lost it... What a team Sean Dyche has made.' Cherki added, 'It's good for the team because the game was not simple. I am very proud.' Reijnders noted the tough atmosphere: 'From what I heard Nottingham Forest at home is always difficult.'
The victory gives City 40 points, two behind Arsenal's 42 after their Brighton win. Forest, fifth above the drop zone, showed resilience but remain winless in 16 league games against City since 1999.
City's lineup: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Nico, Bernardo (c), Reijnders; Foden, Cherki, Haaland. Forest: John Victor; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson, Hutchinson; Gibbs-White (c), Hudson-Odoi, Jesus.
