Manchester City put an end to their longest winless run under Pep Guardiola, securing a much-needed 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
First-half strikes from Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, followed by a superb second-half effort from Jeremy Doku, ensured the Premier League champions returned to winning ways after six consecutive losses and a frustrating draw against Feyenoord.
City wasted no time asserting dominance, with Silva opening the scoring in the 8th minute after tapping in a loose ball from close range.
However, Forest almost leveled when Chris Wood latched onto a misplaced back pass from De Bruyne, only to miss the target, keeping City’s slender lead intact.
De Bruyne quickly redeemed himself, doubling City’s lead with a brilliant finish after a clever one-two with fellow Belgian Jeremy Doku.
The midfielder’s strike came at a crucial moment, calming the nerves of a home crowd that had endured weeks of disappointment.
In the second half, Doku completed the scoring with an impressive curling effort from the edge of the box, leaving the Forest goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
City controlled the game from then on, with Guardiola’s side showcasing glimpses of their usual fluidity despite occasional misplaced passes and lapses in concentration.
This victory not only marked City’s joint-biggest Premier League win this season but also offered a vital boost as they aim to revive their campaign in both domestic and European competitions.
For Forest, the defeat underscored their struggles against top-tier opposition, with the team now facing a tough battle to climb out of the lower half of the table.
Guardiola’s animated celebration at full-time reflected the relief and importance of this result, as Manchester City look to build momentum in the weeks ahead.
