Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City, Premier League: Cherki Late Goal Helps Cityzens Win

Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, thanks to a late winner from Rayan Cherki that kept Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League title race. City took the lead early in the second half when Tijjani Reijnders finished a clever move created by Cherki, but Forest hit back through Omari Hutchinson, who calmly finished after good interplay involving Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus. The visitors pressed for a winner, and Cherki delivered in the 83rd minute, drilling a low strike through a crowded box that Forest goalkeeper John Victor couldn’t keep out. The result extended City’s winning run and temporarily put them top of the table.

Updated on: 28 December 2025 8:23 am

EPL: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

Manchester City's Rayan Cherki scores his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP

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Manchester City's Erling Haaland shoots towards goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP

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Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol, right, and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Barrington Coombs/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest's Omari Hutchinson celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP

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Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP

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Manchester City's Matheus Nunes and Nottingham Forest's Igor Jesus, right, battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Barrington Coombs/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Manchester City's Nico Gonzalez, right, battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Barrington Coombs/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus jump for the ball during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Barrington Coombs/PA via AP

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gives instructions during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest's Igor Jesus and Manchester City's Rayan Cherki, back to the camera, battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City, in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Joe Giddens/PA via AP