Cherki delivers late winner as Manchester City edge Forest at the City Ground
Rayan Cherki capped another standout performance with a decisive late goal as Manchester City claimed a 2–1 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday to extend their winning run to seven matches in all competitions.
The France international was central to everything City did in the final third, providing the assist for the opening goal before stepping up himself late on to settle a tight contest at the City Ground.
City finally broke the deadlock shortly after the restart when Tijjani Reijnders met Cherki’s perfectly weighted pass and finished calmly beyond John Victor. Forest responded almost immediately, restoring parity six minutes later through Omari Hutchinson, who marked his first league goal for the club since his summer arrival with a composed strike.
The result carried added significance for Pep Guardiola’s side, who briefly moved top of the table before Arsenal’s later win over Brighton returned City to second. It also continued a strong run that has included victories over Crystal Palace, Real Madrid and Brentford across three competitions.
The atmosphere in Nottingham was intense from the outset, with Forest setting up aggressively and denying City space between the lines in a cagey first half. Guardiola’s team controlled possession but struggled to turn dominance into clear chances, with Cherki often dropping deep to link play and spark momentum.
Clear openings were limited before the interval, though City gradually increased the tempo after the break. Reijnders’ goal shifted the balance, but Forest’s swift reply ensured the contest remained finely poised, drawing the home crowd back into the game.
As the clock ticked down, City pressed with greater urgency. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva probed around the box, while Cherki continued to drift into dangerous areas, testing Forest’s defensive shape.
The breakthrough arrived seven minutes from time. Cherki collected the ball on the edge of the area, shifted it onto his right foot and drove a low effort through the legs of Morgan Gibbs-White and into the corner, a finish that reflected both precision and confidence.
The second half also saw City survive moments of tension, with Forest threatening on the counter and forcing Ederson into a sharp save late on. Guardiola responded by tightening midfield control, ensuring City saw out the closing stages.
Cherki’s winner ultimately proved decisive and underlined his growing influence since arriving from Lyon. The 21-year-old now boasts five goals and eight assists this season, a remarkable return in his first campaign in English football.
The victory keeps City firmly in the title race and reinforces their resilience after setbacks earlier in the season. For Cherki, it was another statement performance, one that highlighted his expanding role in a side chasing silverware on multiple fronts.