Player Ratings: Manchester City Back to Winning Ways with Nottingham Forest Victory

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EPL Index

·4 December 2024

Player Ratings: Manchester City Back to Winning Ways with Nottingham Forest Victory

Manchester City Return to Winning Ways Against Nottingham Forest

In a much-needed Premier League comeback, Manchester City broke their winless streak by securing a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest. The game, played at the Etihad Stadium, marked an end to City’s eight-game drought, bringing a wave of relief to both fans and players alike.

City’s Tactical Mastery Comes to the Fore

Kevin De Bruyne, returning from a groin injury, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s dominance over Nottingham Forest. His minimal yet strategic use by Pep Guardiola in recent games paid off spectacularly. De Bruyne was instrumental in setting up the first goal for Bernardo Silva with a superb header, demonstrating his critical importance to the squad. He didn’t stop there; before half-time, he doubled the lead with a powerful finish inside the Forest box, highlighting his top form.

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Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, seemed overwhelmed by the stature of their opponents. Despite having opportunities in the first half, including a notable shot by Morgan Gibbs-White that Stefan Ortega skilfully saved, Forest couldn’t capitalise on their moments.

Dynamic Performances Highlight the Evening

Jeremy Doku brought fresh energy to the game, adding a third goal that eased any lingering fears from the previous week’s performance against Feyenoord. His contribution along with De Bruyne’s compelling 75-minute performance reminded everyone of the relentless capability that has characterised Guardiola’s tenure.

Impact on the Premier League Table

This victory is crucial for Manchester City as it not only ends their winless streak but also solidifies their position in the Premier League standings. The draw between Liverpool and another team has allowed City to maintain a comfortable lead, placing them in a favourable position as the season progresses.

Player Ratings Breakdown

Here’s how the players fared in this significant match-up:

Manchester City (Formation: 4-1-4-1)

Stefan Ortega (GK): 8/10
Manuel Akanji (RB): 7/10
Ruben Dias (CB): 7/10
Nathan Ake (CB): 7/10
Josko Gvardiol (LB): 7/10
Ilkay Gundogan (DM): 7/10
Bernardo Silva (RM): 8/10
Kevin De Bruyne (AM): 9/10
Jack Grealish (AM): 7/10
Jeremy Doku (LM): 8/10
Erling Haaland (ST): 7/10
Substitutes included Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, and others with varied impacts.

Nottingham Forest (Formation: 4-2-3-1)

Matz Sels (GK): 6/10
Ola Aina (RB): 6/10
Nikola Milenkovic (CB): 5/10
Murillo (CB): 6./10
Alex Moreno (LB): 6/10
Nicolas Dominguez (DM): 5/10
Ryan Yates (DM): 5/10
Anthony Elanga (RM): 6/10
Morgan Gibbs-White (AM): 6/10
Jota Silva (LM): 6/10
Chris Wood (ST): 5/10
The substitutions made by Forest included players like Morato and Taiwo Awoniyi, among others.

With this emphatic victory, Manchester City have not only climbed back from a slump but have also reasserted their dominance in the Premier League. The performance against Nottingham Forest was a masterclass in tactical execution and player potential, setting the stage for what fans hope will be a continued ascent in their footballing exploits.