Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City result - Rayan Cherki fires late winner as Pep Guardiola's side move top of Premier League with sixth straight victory

Rayan Cherki came up with the late winner as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City moved top of the Premier League table with a battling 2-1 win against a spirited Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The French attacking midfielder drilled a fine finish into the net from Josko Gvardiol's cushioned header on 83 minutes as the visitors celebrated a sixth straight win in the top flight and an eighth in all competitions.

After a frantic first half in which neither team could manage a shot on target, it was City who moved ahead when Cherki played in Tijjani Reijnders to wallop a low finish beyond home goalkeeper John Victor on 48 minutes.

But the lead lasted only six minutes as Omari Hutchinson swept home the equaliser on 54 minutes with his first Forest goal after being teed up by Igor Jesus with a telling cross from a superb team move.

City probably just about deserved the victory as they moved one point clear of Arsenal before The Gunners hosted Brighton at the Emirates later on Saturday.

But it was hard not to feel for Sean Dyche's Forest, who remain fourth from bottom, five points ahead of West Ham, after matching City for long spells of a frantic contest that came to life in a thrilling second half that could have gone either way.

Guardiola's side head for Sunderland in their next tough away assignment on New Year's Day, while Forest will bid to arrest their two-game losing streak when they host Everton on Tuesday evening.

"When the games come we need just one thing: to win. 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."

On his goal: "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 [Haaland] and he said: "When you score you do this celebration" so I did and I am so happy."

"Late goals always enhance the feeling and the atmosphere in a group," said the former City defender on TNT Sports.

"That was well-earned today as Forest were a good side. They can take a lot of credit from the performance, but it's about the result. City got the one they needed to put more pressure on Arsenal. The first half was quite subdued, but the second was exceptional.

"The technique, the quality and the confidence of Cherki to take it on his so-called weaker foot. Speaking to Gael Clichy, he told me that in those areas there's no one he knows as comfortable as him taking on the shot.

"He executed a very difficult skill on his weaker foot. He gets you out of your seat and has the quality to win games.

"His overall game was quiet, but he is there for the two key moments for the assist and the goal."

Have put so much into this match today. Woudn't grudge them a point, but it looks like the City finesse and quality might just be enough to earn them all three points.

Nathan Aké replaces Rayan Cherki for the visitors with Dilane Bakwa on for Callum Hudson-Odoi for Forest. John Victor with another excellent save to deny the finish from Savinho.

"It's Nico O'Reilly involved, it's not an offside. It's a brilliant finish. It's Gibbs-White [O'Reilly] knocks over. Cherki does so well to get his knee over the ball. He's so balanced on both feet and it's an excellent finish to stay on top of the ball.

"Donnarumma knows how important that goal is but do not underestimate the storm that is now going to come on the Man City box."

Taiwo Awoniyi replaces Nicolás Domínguez for these closing moments.

Big appeals for a foul via VAR, but Rayan Cherki thumps the shot into the net. Through the legs of Gibbs-White after Gvardiol headed down from the corner. Agonising for Forest. And VAR confirms the goal is all good.

Milenkovic making sure Haaland can't get a shot away as City continue to push for the winner here. Fine defending.

Nikola Milenkovic sees a shot blocked at one end as it deflects wide before Nico González leans back and lifts his effort well wide of the target. 0-0 heading for final 10 minutes or so as Murillo clatters clear the cross from Foden, who then slams the corner straight out of play on other side. Adrenaline pumping.

"That was brilliant from Phil Foden... what a touch, but Victor just stands his ground with a strong foot. It's a magnificent save. Beautiful interchange from City as they click through the gears, and Foden is deadly on his left foot. Great balance and athleticism from Foden. Big John knows it's a big stop for his team."

The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper with an excellent instinctive stop to deny Foden after he was played in by Cherki. Wow! What a huge save at such a key moment.

Savinho is on for Tijjani Reijnders as the visiting side push for the winner at an animated City Ground.

Ball refuses to come down in time for the Norway striker, who can't get the leg over the ball as the volley clears the bar by some margin. Change comes now for City.

"Man City are rattled. Both Forest full-backs are bombing on and Anderson and Gibbs-White are strolling around and spraying passes left, right and centre."