Manchester City got back to winning ways in style as they thrashed Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Etihad to end a seven-game winless streak and a run of four successive Premier League defeats. Led by Kevin De Bruyne, who shone with a goal and an assist, and Jeremy Doku, who made his mark with a spectacular goal, Pep Guardiola's squad showed signs that the recent slump might be behind them.
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The Impact of De Bruyne Kevin De Bruyne's return to the starting lineup felt like finding the missing piece of a puzzle. From the opening whistle, the Belgian midfielder took control of Manchester City's game. Just eight minutes in, De Bruyne showcased his unmatched vision with a pinpoint cross that Bernardo Silva converted to open the scoring. He added the fluidity in midfield that City have been missing over recent games, showing why he's considered one of the best players in the world.
Later in the first half, De Bruyne doubled the lead with an expert strike into the top corner, and the crowd went wild. It was one of those moments that showed his quality in being able to lift a team at crucial times.
Doku and a new dimension in attack
One of Guardiola's major signings, Jeremy Doku, also impressed. The young Belgian was unstoppable down the left flank, with quick dribbles mixed with incisive decision-making. His second-half goal was nothing short of brilliant: a cut inside followed by an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner. Doku showed he has the quality to decide games and further cemented his place in City's star-studded lineup.
Beyond his goal, Doku was constantly at the throat of the Forest defense and proved a weapon in Guardiola's tactical setup.
City's collective performance
It was a masterclass in control and efficiency from City. Josko Gvardiol had two clear opportunities to score in the first half, while goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made crucial saves during critical periods to keep Forest at bay. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish was equal in defense and offense as he helped block Forest's advances and opened up space for his colleagues.
The team was a lot more organized, compared to how they have been holding up in the last few games. With De Bruyne back in the fold, the connection between midfield and attack was restored, and City looked more confident and cohesive overall.
Nottingham Forest's fragility
On the opposite end, Nottingham Forest found themselves sandwiched between boldness and disarray. From the earlier season win against Liverpool at Anfield, Nuno Espírito Santo's team failed to reenact such level Feats. Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White both had gilt-edged chances to level in the first half, but let the chance slip by. Skewed moments like these that should have turned the tide for today's game, though Forest succumbed to pressure in the later minutes from the opposing side.
Their recent string of poor results is becoming a burden, and Forest must quickly find answers to regain their form.
What’s next
This victory propels Manchester City back into the Premier League's top four, narrowing the gap to league leaders Liverpool to nine points. More importantly, the performance suggests City may be poised to reclaim their status as title contenders. With tough fixtures ahead, including matches against Tottenham and Arsenal, consistency will be crucial to turning this win into a true season turnaround.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest faces a critical moment. With upcoming games against Manchester United and Aston Villa, Espírito Santo’s squad must address their issues quickly to avoid a deeper slide down the table.