Manchester City 3 Nottingham Forest 0: City player ratings as Manchester City finally return to winning ways. | OneFootball

Manchester City 3 (Bernardo Silva 8′, Kevin De Bruyne 31′, Jeremy Doku 57′)

Nottingham Forest 0

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City finally ended this seven-game winless run with a 3-nil win over Nottingham Forest. It was a welcome sight to see City resemble the team we all know that they are. Kevin De Bruyne’s performance showed just how much Pep Guardiola’s side had missed their talisman.

Before the game, there was mixed news on the injury front. Kevin De Bruyne returned to the starting lineup for the world champions. But Phil Foden missed today’s match due to bronchitis.

First half

The game kicked with the Etihad crowd up for the occasion. In midfield, Jack Grealish lined up alongside Kevin De Bruyne, with Ilkay Gundogan sitting deeper. The move had the desired effect to begin the game with Manchester City starting the game with confidence and poise in possession.

The first chance of the game fell Manchester City’s way in the 6th minute as Kevin De Bruyne teed up Erling Haaland. But Haaland’s shot from De Bruyne’s cross was straight at Matz Sela in the Forest goal.

But Manchester City did take the lead two minutes later. A well-worked move saw Ilkay Gundogan provide a quality cross to the back post from the left-hand side of the penalty area. Kevin De Bruyne met Gundogan’s cross with his head and Bernardo Silva tapped in a yard out from De Bruyne’s header. It was the perfect start for Manchester City who took an early lead to lay down a marker for the game.

Manchester City’s next chance came in the 15th minute. A well-worked move saw Bernardo Silva play a quality cross into the area. But Josko Gvardiol headed wide from a good position.

Manchester City had looked in control of the game for the opening half-hour besides one Morgan Gibbs-White shot, which was well saved by Stefan Ortega. But an error from Kevin De Bruyne gave Forest their best chance of the opening half hour. De Bruyne’s misplaced pass played in Chris Wood, but the Forest striker sent the shot wide when it looked easier to score.

But City’s captain made amends for his error a minute later. A mazy run from Jeremy Doku set up De Bruyne. The Belgian international smashed in City’s second of the game with a typical De Bruyne finish. The sight of De Bruyne back on the scoresheet and in form was a welcome one and it brought the Etihad crowd into the game.

Nottingham Forest grew into the game during the final 15 minutes of the first half but Manchester City went to the interval with a well-deserved 2-nil lead.

Second half

Nottingham Forest began the second half determined to get back into the game. There was more threat to their play and they seemed determined to get at Manchester City. Their best chance came in the 52nd minute when Murillo sent a 25-yard rocket just over the bar.

Their spell of pressure sparked Manchester City back into life. They made it 3-nil in the 57th minute through Jeremy Doku. A quick counter saw Erling Haaland play it wide to Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger did the rest as he curled a fine effort into the back of a net. It was a goal that City needed and it calmed the nerves of the Manchester City fans.

The rest of the second half played out without incident, and come the final whistle, Manchester City’s seven-game winless run was finally over. Although there was a fresh injury concern for the world champions. Nathan Ake had to be substituted after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury in the game’s final stages.

Here are the City player ratings from Manchester City’s much-needed win at the Etihad.

City player ratings

Stefan Ortega-7.5/10: Made several good saves and was good with his feet.

Manuel Akanji-6.5/10: Did well at right-back before being substituted at halftime. He had the better of Anthony Elanga although the Forest winger had his moments.

Ruben Dias-7.5/10: Alongside Ake, Dias put in a good performance at the back.

Nathan Ake-8/10: I thought Ake was outstanding again. Defended well and was crucial to City’s possession game. The downside of his day was it appeared that he suffered another hamstring injury late in proceedings.

Josko Gvardiol-6.5/10: Had a couple of nervy moments at the back but got better as the game wore on.

Bernardo Silva- 7.5/10: His link-up play with De Bruyne in the first half was superb. He scored one and put in his best display for some time.

Ilkay Gundogan-7/10: He was very good in possession and helped City dictate the game. He was caught in possession on occasions, but overall a better performance from Gundogan.

Kevin De Bruyne-9/10: Superb performance from De Bruyne. Scored one and set up another. But he added exactly what Manchester City have missed in his absence.

Jeremy Doku-8.5/10: Scored a stunning goal and was a constant threat going forward. My only criticism of his game is his end product but he played well.

Jack Grealish-8/10: His best performance for some time. Played in midfield and added something different to City’s midfield.

Erling Haaland-7/10: He only had one chance of note but his link-up play was superb. Picked up an assist for Doku’s goal.

Substitutes

Kyle Walker-6/10: Did the simple things well after coming on at halftime. Much better than the England international.

Rico Lewis-6/10: Some nice touches in midfield after coming on.

James McAtee-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Savinho-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Matheus Nunes-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.