Manchester City ended their seven-match winless streak with a thumping 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium. This Premier League clash witnessed the influential return of Kevin De Bruyne, whose performance was instrumental in City’s success.
City, who had not won in their last four Premier League matches, saw goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, And Jeremy Doku ensure victory.
The result extends City’s unbeaten run to 31 Premier League matches when De Bruyne is in the starting line-up, with the Belgian directly contributing to 25 goals in those encounters.
Pep Guardiola praised De Bruyne’s impact on the pitch during his post-match interview with Amazon Prime.
“He was excellent, especially in the first half,” Guardiola said. “His presence is crucial when he is fit. Since arriving from Germany he has had an incredible influence on our game.
De Bruyne, making his first league start in almost three months, recorded five shots and created four chances, marking the third time he has reached those statistics in a match this season.
Despite his performance, the midfielder stressed the importance of the team’s improvement and downplayed the importance of the league table after that of Liverpool 3-3 draw against Newcastle United.
Nottingham Forest Manager Nuno Holy Spirit expressed frustration with his team’s missed opportunities, including a one-on-one chance for Chris Wood .
“It was a pivotal moment,” Nuno told BBC Sport. “It was inches from the post, and that can change the dynamic of the match.”
Manchester City’s victory takes them back into the top four, while Nottingham Forest face a tough time with three defeats in their last four outings. The focus now shifts to their upcoming matches as both teams look to build on their performances.
