Important win for Manchester City away from Nottingham Forest » “Citizens” can remain leaders if Arsenal mess up
Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Saturday, December 27, 2025 4:33 p.m. / Updated Saturday, December 27, 2025 4:58 p.m.
Nottingham Forest and Manchester City they met today at the City Ground in a match counting for the 18th round of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's team prevailed 2-1, thanks to the goals scored by Tijani Reijnders (48) and Ryan Cherki (83).
The game had two totally different halves. If in the first half the game was devoid of clear opportunities and without shots on goal, the second half brought an alert pace, with numerous goal phases at both goals. The goalkeeper of the home team, John Victor, was repeatedly put to the test, making several important interventions.
For Rayan Cherki, this was the third consecutive game in which he was named “man of the match”. The Frenchman also contributed decisively to the first success, providing the decisive pass for Reijnders' goal. In the current Premier League season, Cherki has reached 7 goals and 2 assists.
Nottingham, second defeat in last seven home games
The formation prepared by Sean Dyche was going through a solid period at home before this duel. Nottingham had won four, drawn one and lost just one of their last six matches at the City Ground in all competitions.
However, Forest was coming after the borderline failure with Fulham (0-1), and following this new defeat, they are in 18th place, with 18 points after 18 stages, five points away from the direct relegation zone, having one game more than their opponents.
“Citizens” pressure the “gunners”
Manchester City are provisionally top of the Premier League, at least until the clash between Arsenal and Brighton. If the “gunners” do not get the victory, the champion from the period 2020-2024 will finish the stage in the first position of the ranking.
Pep Guardiola's side have suffered just three defeats in their last 20 games in all competitions and will continue their away streak on January 1 when they take on Sunderland.
FINAL » Nottingham – Manchester City 1-2
Nottingham – Manchester City, starting teams:
Nottingham (4-2-3-1): John Victor – Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, N. Williams – E. Anderson, N. Dominguez – Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi – Igor Jesus
reserves: Sels – Abbott, Awoniyi, Bakwa, Douglas Luiz, Kalimuendo, McAtee, Morato, Zinchenko
Coach: Sean Dyche
Manchester City (4-3-2-1): Donnarumma – M. Nunes, R. Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly – B. Silva, Nico, Reijnders – Cherki, Foden – Haaland
reserves: Trafford – Ake, Heskey, Khusanov, R. Lewis, McAidoo, Mukasa, Rodri, Savinho
Coach: Pep Guardiola
