Cherki Ends the Silence as City Grind Down Forest in Title Statement

Cherki Breaks His Drought When It Matters Most

Rayan Cherki picked the perfect moment to rediscover his scoring touch as Manchester City edged past Nottingham Forest with a hard-fought 2-1 victory that screamed title momentum. The Frenchman’s late winner ended a Premier League goal drought stretching back to the opening day and secured Pep Guardiola’s sixth straight league win.

City briefly climbed to the summit before Arsenal responded elsewhere, but the manner of this victory — tense, physical, and ruthless late on — felt just as significant as the points themselves.

Forest Frustrate and Fight Back

The opening half was attritional and scrappy, with Forest executing Sean Dyche’s game plan to near perfection. Chances were scarce, and neither side managed a shot on target before the break. The hosts even looked the more threatening early on when Callum Hudson-Odoi whipped a dangerous cross across the six-yard box that somehow evaded everyone.

Forest honoured club legend John Robertson before kick-off, and the home side channelled that spirit with disciplined defending and relentless work rate.

City Strike, Forest Respond

The game sparked into life almost immediately after the restart. Cherki slipped Tijjani Reijnders through with precision, and the midfielder made no mistake, sliding a first-time finish under John Victor to give City the lead.

Forest refused to fold. Omari Hutchinson levelled in the 54th minute after Morgan Gibbs-White launched a rapid counter, the winger drilling home from inside the box to send the City Ground into rapture.

For a spell, Forest looked capable of pushing on. Neco Williams and Nicola Savona both went close, while City needed Gianluigi Donnarumma to stay alert.

Inevitable Pressure, Inevitable Winner

As the final quarter-hour approached, City tightened their grip. Phil Foden was denied by a brilliant John Victor save, but the pressure told. A loose ball from a corner dropped to Cherki on the edge of the area, and this time there was no stopping him.

The finish was low, precise, and decisive — a moment of composure that separated champions from challengers.

Forest were left devastated, City quietly ominous.