Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest: What Were The Key Talking Points As Pep Guardiola’s Side Extend On Their Premier League Romp?

While Manchester City might have faced a rugged test on Saturday afternoon, the Sky Blues extended on their 100% start as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.

With England international Phil Foden opening the scoring after just seven minutes, the record-breaking Erling Haaland quickly joined in on the act as the Norwegian superstar bagged his eighth Premier League strike of the season just seven minutes after Foden’s openers.

However, while Pep Guardiola’s side might have been more than deserving of their 2-0 lead when heading into the half-time break,

With midfield talisman Rodri shown a straight red card just seconds after returning from the half-time interval following an altercation with Morgan Gibbs-White, City’s ole attention turned to simply avoiding a public collapse on home soil.

Although Nottingham Forest might have put in a largely resilient performance away from the City Ground this weekend, some in Steve Cooper’s camp could feel that they missed out on the chance to spring a heavyweight upset on the road.

Nevertheless, now winning just a pair of their first seven appearances against Premier League opposition, the one-time European champions are still searching for some early-season stability.

Two sides who found themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table last season, we have taken a look at the key talking points from Saturday’s showdown at the Etihad.

It will take a miracle to stop City this season

Making real history last season as they got their hands on a maiden Champions League crown, Manchester City have only continued to cement their status as Europe’s elite domestic club.

Opening the defence of their Champions League title earlier in the week as they claimed a 3-1 win against Crvena zvezda, Guardiola’s superstar squad have won each of their first seven appearances across all competitions.

Not really having to get out of third gear for large spells here, the former Barcelona boss rightfully finds his side tipped as a landslide contender to make even more domestic history this time around.

Becoming the first English club since Manchester United in 1999 to be crowned treble champions last season, the Sky Blues have certainly come flying out of the traps since opening the 2023/24 campaign.

Marking their return from September’s international break with a 3-1 victory away at a high-flying West Ham, Guardiola’s free-scoring squad find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

While Rodri’s moment of madness might steal some of Saturday’s headlines, it is hard to find any faults with a Manchester City squad that are riding a record-breaking wave of momentum.

Haaland will breeze his way to another Golden Boot

Breezing his way to the Premier League Golden Boot last season and breaking a string of records in his maiden campaign among England’s elite, Haaland has certainly underlined his status as world football’s ultimate marksman.

Playing a crucial role as Manchester City were crowned treble champions, the Norwegian superstar has simply continued on from where he left off prior to the summer break.

Once again getting on the scoresheet here and causing Forest’s defence a host of issues, the former Borussia Dortmund superstar appears to be cruising his way towards a long list of individual accolades this time around.

In fact, along with heading into September’s international break with a hat-trick against Fulham earlier in the month, Haaland has already notched a remarkable eight goals in his opening six Premier League appearances this season.

Already bagging 50% of Manchester City’s top-flight strikes since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the 23-year-old has firmly staked his place as the Premier League’s new poster boy.

Forest still seeking stability

Eventually clinging to their Premier League status last season and avoiding an immediate Championship return, Nottingham Forest are simply hoping for smoother sailing this time around.

However, while Cooper’s men might have entered September’s international break with a stellar 1-0 victory away at struggling Chelsea, the one-time Swansea boss is still searching for some stability.

Marking their return from the fortnight interval with what was a missed opportunity at the City Ground as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Burnley, Saturday’s guests have won just a pair of their opening seven appearances across all competitions.

Crashing out of the EFL Cup on August 30th following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Premier League returners Burnley, Cooper’s side are also searching for a recent clinical edge in the final third.

Nevertheless, always knowing that they face a monumental challenge when they arrived at the Etihad here, Forest certainly have easier tests down the road.

Still ending Saturday’s fixtures sat in the top-half of the Premier League table, Forest will be next seen on October 1st when they welcome Brentford to the City Ground.

Match Report

Manchester City: Emerson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodri, Nunes, Foden, Alvarez, Doku, Haaland

Subs: Ake, Grealish, Phillips

Nottingham Forest: Turner, Aina, Aurier, Boly, Niakhate, Tavares, Dominguez, Mangala, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Awoniyi

Subs: Montiel, Wood, Origi, Hudson-Odoi, Elanga

Goals: Manchester City: Foden (7’), Haaland (14’)

Yellow Cards: Manchester City: Ederson, Akanji, Grealish – Nottingham Forest: Origi, Mangala, Montiel, Gibbs-White, Awoniyi, Sangare, Tavares

Red Cards: Rodri (46’)

Referee: Anthony Taylor