Manchester City climbed to the summit of the Premier League table following a hard-fought 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, thanks to a late heroics from Rayan Cherki.
In a tense encounter that showcased the intensity of the festive fixture period, City took the lead shortly after halftime when Tijjani Reijnders slotted home in the 48th minute. However Forest responded swiftly, with Omari Hutchinson equalizing in the 54th minute to level the scores.
The match seemed destined for a draw until Cherki stepped up in the 83rd minute, firing a decisive winner past the Forest goalkeeper to seal all three points for the visitors.
This victory marks Manchester City's perfect end to 2025, extending their impressive run and propelling them provisionally to the top of the league standings. Cherki's goal not only clinched the match but also highlighted his growing influence since joining the squad, as he continued his fine form with a superb all around performance.
Speaking after the game, Cherki expressed his elation: "It was a big win for us today. We knew it would be tough coming here, but the team showed great character to come back and get the three points. I'm delighted to contribute with the goal.”
With this result, Manchester City now look ahead to their next challenge, aiming to maintain their position at the top as the season intensifies into the new year.