Manchester City ended their run of seven games without a win by beating Forest
Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku all got on the scoresheet
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By AADAM PATEL
Published: 16:39 EST, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 16:39 EST, 4 December 2024
Manchester City finally returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
After seven games without a win, normal service was resumed at the Etihad Stadium, as Bernardo Silva opened the scoring early on.
Kevin De Bruyne, restored to the starting line-up after his injury woes, doubled City's lead before Jeremy Doku made it three shortly before the hour mark.
It was exactly the result that City needed after a woeful run of results.
But who caught the eye as City recorded a routine win?
Mail Sport's Aadam Patel was on hand to rate the players at the Etihad.
MANCHESTER CITY
Stefan Ortega 7 - Made a huge save to deny Morgan Gibbs-White at 1-0. A much-needed clean sheet - Man City’s first since October.
Manuel Akanji 6 - Started at right-back with Kyle Walker dropped. Did his job but was replaced at the break, with what looked like a forced substitution.
Ruben Dias 6.5 - Failed to keep up with Chris Wood for the pivotal moment at 1-0 but apart from that was solid.
Nathan Ake 7 - Allowed Gvardiol to regularly push forward as he covered. Will be chuffed with the clean sheet.
Josko Gvardiol 6.5 - One of four City changes, alongside De Bruyne, Doku and Grealish. An all-action first half where he should have scored twice, heading wide and dragging a left-footed strike wide. Though lost the ball carelessly just before Gibbs-White’s goalbound effort at 1-0.
Ilkay Gundogan 7 - A much-improved display, with glimpses of his class. Influential for City’s opener with his movement. However was caught on the ball on a couple of occasions.
Jack Grealish 6.5 - Started centrally, carrying the ball well into the final third. Made an important block at 2-0 to deny Moreno and had a decent game but is yet to score for City this season. Must change that.
Bernardo Silva 8 - City’s best player in the first half. In the right place at the right time for the goal and unlucky not to get an assist when Gvardiol headed wide. This was so much more like it.
Kevin de Bruyne 8.5 - Was at the heart of everything on his first start since September. Teed up Erling Haaland early on then got the assist for Silva’s goal before getting on the scoresheet himself with a superb finish. Minutes earlier, was so fortunate that his poor backpass wasn’t converted by Chris Wood.
Erling Haaland 7 - Had a big early chance and though he didn’t get on the scoresheet, was a nuisance throughout. Like Silva, unlucky not to get an assist when he put Gvardiol through. Did his defensive duties and got the assist for Doku’s goal.
Jeremy Doku 8 - Always fun to watch. Did really well to get the assist for De Bruyne’s goal and caused problems all evening. Capped off a fine display with a superb goal, cutting in and curling one in.
Substitutes
Kyle Walker 6 - Replaced Manuel Akanji at half-time.
Rico Lewis 6 - Came on for Kevin de Bruyne in the 74th minute.
Manager
Pep Guardiola 7 - Finally! This was more like it as his side showed their swagger and got back to winning ways after 39 days. Will sleep a happier man tonight.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Matz Sels 6 - Made some great saves but could do nothing for all of City’s goals. The scoreline could have been much worse for Forest.
Ola Aina 5 - Part of a back four that kept switching to a back five but still had little luck in limiting City. Taken off just after the hour mark as Forest switched to a 3-4-3.
Nikola Milenkovic 4 - Had a poor evening all round as City got through way too easily.
Murillo 5 - Like Milenkovic, made it too easy for City to get in behind. Nearly scored a worldie from about 30 yards out in the second half.
Alex Moreno 5 - One of three Forest changes including Dominguez and Elanga. Offered a threat attackingly but simply couldn’t cope with Bernardo Silva down City’s right flank.
Ryan Yates 5 - Battled well in the first half but ultimately couldn’t cope with the quality in City’s midfield. The Forest skipper was replaced at half-time for Morato.
Nicolas Dominguez 5.5 - Knew he was in for a tough night. Guilty of losing possession on a few occasions.
Anthony Elanga 6 - Got in some dangerous positions, with a first-half effort going just wide and a second-half effort clipping the crossbar on a night where Forest weren’t clinical in the final third.
Morgan Gibbs-White 6.5 - Offered the most threat from a Forest persective. So close to equalising at 1-0 but for a brilliant stop by Stefan Ortega. Replaced for Elliott Anderson just after the hour mark.
Jota Silva 5 - Wasn’t afraid to try from a distance, albeit without much luck. Linked up well with Gibbs-White. Taken off for Ramon Sosa with 20 minutes to go.
Chris Wood 4 - Will be having nightmares about his miss at 1-0 when he sent Ortega the wrong way but fired wide with only the keeper to beat. Had just five touches in the first-half, with two shots and three attempted passes. Substituted off for Taiwo Awoniyi just after the hour mark.
Substitutes
Morato 5 - Came on at half-time for Ryan Yates.
Taiwo Awoniyi 5 - On for Chris Wood just after the hour mark.
Elliot Anderson 5 - Replaced Morgan Gibbs-White.
Eric da Silva Moreira 5 - On for Ola Aina.
Ramon Sosa 5 - Came on for Jota Silva.
Manager
Nuno Espirito Santo 5 - Couldn’t believe Chris Wood’s miss at 1-0 but in fairness, his side were too open defensively and outclassed on the night.