Manchester City have ended their miserable seven-game winless run in all competitions after securing a 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
After suffering a 2-0 defeat to leaders Liverpool on Sunday, a pumped-up Pep Guardiola made four changes to his starting lineup, with captain Kevin De Bruyne notably handed his first start since September 18 at the expense of Phil Foden, who missed out due to a bout of bronchitis.
De Bruyne's playmaker abilities - which City have dearly missed during their poor run of form - were on full display at the Etihad Stadium, and although the Belgian is known to have a wand of a right foot, it was his downward header towards goal that fell nicely for Bernardo Silva to tap home an eighth-minute opener on the line.
Man City were playing with confidence and came close to adding a second on several occasions; Josko Gvardiol would have netted a brace on another day but he headed one chance narrowly wide before dragging another beyond the far post after bursting through on goal.
Forest were unable to put their stamp on the contest, but they came close to equalising twice midway through the first half. Stefan Ortega made a superb diving save to keep out a strike from Morgan Gibbs-White, before Chris Wood surprisingly rolled a shot wide after running through on goal.
That chance from Forest's top scorer proved costly, as De Bruyne went up the other end just over a minute later to double City's advantage with a right-footed shot fired into the top corner from inside the area.
Forest switched to a back three in the second half and there was much more about Nuno Espirito Santo's side in the opening exchanges. However, they were caught on the break just before the hour mark when Jeremy Doku jinked his way inside from the left before curling a sweet strike into the bottom corner to put City three goals to the good.
Man City threw away a three-goal lead with less than 15 minutes remaining against Feyenoord in the Champions League just over a week ago, but they saw out the game against Forest with ease as Nuno's men had no answer to the Citizens' rearguard resolve.
Victory for Man City represents their first since beating Southampton 1-0 on October 26, and they have climbed up one place to fourth in the Premier League table - also moving to within nine points of leaders Liverpool who drew 3-3 at Newcastle United.
As for Forest, they have now lost their last five away league games against Man City by an aggregate score of 15-0, and they have slipped to seventh in the top-flight standings, now sitting four points behind the top four.
MAN CITY VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
Bernardo Silva goal vs. Nottingham Forest (8th min, Man City 1-0 Nottingham Forest)
Ilkay Gundogan was given far too much space to drive into the left side of the penalty area before picking out Kevin De Bruyne at the back post with a smart dinked cross. De Bruyne's downward header towards goal was then tapped home from just a yard out by Bernardo Silva - his first PL goal at the 14th time of asking this season.
Kevin De Bruyne goal vs. Nottingham Forest (31st min, Man City 2-0 Nottingham Forest)
Wood was made to pay for rolling a shot wide after bursting through on goal, as City went up the other end and doubled their advantage thanks to captain De Bruyne, who quicky made amends after accidently presenting Wood with his earlier chance just over a minute earlier.
Jeremy Doku eased his way inside from the left and picked out Belgian compatriot De Bruyne, who took a touch before opening up his body and firing a right-footed shot into the top corner from 15 yards out.
Jeremy Doku goal vs. Nottingham Forest (57th min, Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest)
Erling Haaland started a fast counter-attack when he picked up the ball inside his own half and played a pass out to the left for Jeremy Doku, who ran at Forest's backline and jinked his way inside before curling a brilliant right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Kevin De Bruyne had to patiently wait for a return to Man City's starting lineup following his recovery from a niggling injury, but the playmaker excelled in the final third for Guardiola's side against Forest, setting up the opener before scoring a superb second midway through the first half.
The hugely influential 33-year-old, who also completed a match-high four key passes, came off to a standing ovation from the Etihad faithful on the 74-minute mark, and deservedly so.
MAN CITY VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Man City 67%-33% Nottingham Forest
Shots: Man City 17-12 Nottingham Forest
Shots on target: Man City 7-3 Nottingham Forest
Corners: Man City 8-2 Nottingham Forest
Fouls: Man City 7-15 Nottingham Forest
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Man City will now turn their attention to Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park where they will face a Crystal Palace side who beat Ipswich Town 1-0 at Portman Road on Tuesday.
As for Nottingham Forest, they are now preparing for their second Premier League game in the space of just three days in Manchester, as they will take on Ruben Amorim's Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
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