Kevin De Bruyne stole the show as Manchester City ended their miserable run with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad.
The Belgian, back in the starting line-up for the first time in more than two months, bagged a goal and an assist as Pep Guardiola’s side earned their first win in seven games in all competitions.
Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Docu were also on the scoresheet on a night where the Premier League champions looked like their former selves.
When De Bruyne started, it was now 31 games unbeaten for Guardiola’s side, although there were signs of defensive weakness in City’s ranks.
Forest had little chance as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side dropped to seventh in the table.
COMPLETE | Victory! 🤩
🩵 3-0 🌳 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/RSTIgt65w4
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 4, 2024
How did it happen?
A light show took place ahead of the clash between fifth and sixth in the table on a rainy evening in Manchester.
And it was a sign of things to come as City’s comeback star shone brighter at the Etihad.
Holland was on target five minutes from time, but his right-footed shot only found the palms of Mats Sels in the Forest goal.
However, moments later City’s early pressure paid off when Ilkay Gundogan was denied in the box. The German beat De Bruyne’s header back into the net where Bernado Silva was waiting to pounce.
The goal seemed to give City confidence. Led by De Bruyne and flanked by Silva and Jack Grealish, the hosts were on a tear.
Silva’s cross found the head of Josko Guardiola, but the Croatian missed the target when he perhaps should have done better.
Guardiola was at fault then as Forest came close to leveling things when he was denied down the left by City. The ball found its way to Morgan Gibbs-White but his effort was saved by Ortega.
Guardiola was at the center of the move again when he was tripped by Haaland, but the marauding defender was able to curl his shot past the crossbar.
De Bruyne then saw his effort fall well short as City took the lead. Despite all their attacking threats, Guardiola’s side were unable to shake the defensive frailties they showed late on.
And they were lucky to stay in front when Chris Wood, in form for Forest, got to his feet and curled his shot wide of the target.
Goal with his assist!
Kevin De Bruyne is back to his best for Manchester City 👏#PLonPrime #MCINFO pic.twitter.com/7snxvQhDRI
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
But the miss will be expensive. Seconds later, Guardiola’s men were ahead when Jeremy Doku fed compatriot De Bruyne just inside the box and the Belgian made no mistake as he fired the ball into the top corner.
Both teams made changes at the break, but it was the visitors who came out of the trap in the second half. Murillo sent a long-range effort just over the bar as Forest showed no signs of slowing down.
But they surrendered a third when, on 56 minutes, Holland found Doku who cut inside and bent a fine finish into the far corner.
City were now in cruise control, but the prospect of a recent 3-3 draw with Feyenoord was huge.
De Bruyne went close to scoring, but Sels did well to point his shot around the post.
This is a beautiful ending 🤩
Jeremy Doku is chasing Pep Guardiola’s big win #PLonPrime #MCINFO pic.twitter.com/tGIx739I04
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024
Sels stood firm again when he saved Grealish before De Bruyne was replaced to rapturous applause from the home crowd.
Anthony Elanga curled a shot over the bar, while Elliott Anderson’s shot was saved by Ortega.
It was all Forest could muster as Doku blitzed his way along the away defence, but couldn’t keep out his shot.
Nathan Ake was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury, but it was another entertaining night for the champions.
And maybe, just maybe, the tide turns.
