Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Etihad Stadium
Follow live coverage as Manchester City face Nottingham Forest today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Another intriguing note, this time from the first half - Grealish completed all 23 of his passes in the opening 45 minutes, with only defenders Dias (43/46) and Ake (37/39) completing more in the first half of this match.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Interesting fact surrounding Morato... When he's been on the pitch, Forest have yet to concede a goal.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Moreno nearly latches onto a flicked ball over from the right, yet Walker eventually gets his body between the Spaniard and the ball.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest opt for a change just after the interval. Morato replaces Yates for his seventh appearance this season as Forest go for a slight change in shape.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Substitution Manuel Obafemi Akanji Kyle Andrew Walker
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
City have exceeded their 1.83 xG with this dynamic performance so far, while Forest have been relatively wasteful with the chances that have run parallel with their 0.67 xG. Wood, although isolated with five touches in the first half, will no doubt be kicking himself that he didn't add to his nine goals this term. However, there has been joy for the travelling Trees, with 55%their attacks in the first half coming down their left wing. City have been fun to watch thus far, with Dias being their player with the most amount of touches, it reflects their will to get forward. Even with defensive players, as Gvardiol has looked like a consistent additional danger too.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
We reach the interval at the Etihad and it feels like normal business has resumed as Manchester City lead Nottingham Forest 2-0. Admittedly, it's been a half where the hosts' lead could've been more, yet Guardiola's side will take a two-goal advantage following the run they've been on of late. The first of City's pair arrived in the eighth minute as Gvardiol and Gundogan linked up well down the left before the latter crossed from the byline. It was headed goalward by De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva was on hand to poke home. After this, Gvardiol and De Bruyne both missed glaring opportunities either side of Gibbs-White forcing a fine save from Ortega as the visitors whirred into life. A player that was seemingly still booting up was Chris Wood. He found himself one-on-one after a gift of a back pass, yet he could only drag his effort wide of the left post. City punished this gaffe in emphatic fashion, as De Bruyne marked his first start since 18 September with a goal in the 31st minute as Doku played off a simple ball for him to thunder home from 15 yards.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
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