NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY: Rayan Cherki stars as Pep Guardiola's side move back past Arsenal with a hard-fought and contentious win at the City Ground
Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates
Rayan Cherki made it 2-1 for Manchester City in the 83rd minute(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Manchester City moved back to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a late and contentious goal against Nottingham Forest. Rayan Cherki was the match-winner at the City Ground, smashing in from a corner in the 83rd minute, leaving Forest incensed and Arsenal under pressure to respond.
City were made to work hard for a sixth successive victory in the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola's side found a way - and via a different route, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden unusually quiet after Christmas.
Forest frustrated City in the opening 45 minutes, denying them space and keeping their most dangerous players away from the ball. But Tijjani Reijnders put them 1-0 up early in the second half with a first-time finish from Cherki's incisive through ball.
Omari Hutchinson brought Sean Dyche's side level with a controlled finish from Igor Jesus' back-post cross and John Victor kept out Foden to keep them on terms. And the game was decided in the closing stages as Josko Gvardiol nodded it down at the back post for Cherki to smash past Victor.
As City celebrated, Forest ran over to referee Rob Jones to protest against the goal being allowed. The home side felt Morgan Gibbs-White had been fouled by Nico O'Reilly, while Murillo was also left with a ripped shirt after tussling with Haaland inside the six-yard box.
But their words fell on deaf ears and the goal was confirmed by the VAR, leaving City with three points. The joy on Guardiola's face at full-time told the story ahead of Arsenal playing Brighton. The Gunners can go back to the top of the Premier League with a win - like they did last week with a 1-0 win over Everton - but the pressure being applied by City is relentless.
"That is such a big win under pressure by Manchester City. They weren’t at their best so it really is a huge three points," Alan Shearer told the BBC.
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola celebrates
Pep Guardiola was delighted at the full-time whistle
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"Rayan Cherki really stepped up in the second half and deserved his goal. And it is another win without Erling Haaland scoring as well. All the pressure goes back on Arsenal now."
Cherki, a £30million summer signing from Lyon, has been influential for City in recent weeks and was delighted to contribute at Forest. "When the games come we need just one thing: to win," he told TNT Sports. "We take the points because the championship is so long and so hard, so today is a big win. The next game is very important for us and we are ready."
Asked about his goal - and adopting Haaland's celebration - the Frenchman added: "It's good for the team because the game was not simple. I am very proud of the team because the championship is so long and the win is for them so we need to enjoy.
"In the week I spoke to Erling and he said: 'When you score you do this celebration' so I did and I am so happy."
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