Manchester City secured 3 valuable points with a 2-1 victory over hosts Nottingham Forest in the 18th round of the English Premier League football matches on Saturday, which also saw wins for Arsenal and Liverpool.
Manchester City owes this win to its French star of Algerian origin, Rayan Cherki, who created the first goal for his teammate Tijjani Reijnders in the 48th minute and scored the second himself in the 83rd minute.
Meanwhile, Omari Hutchinson scored Nottingham’s only goal in the 54th minute.
Manchester City continued its winning streak for the sixth consecutive match, raising its tally to 40 points and temporarily taking the top spot, one point ahead of Arsenal, who hosts Brighton later on Saturday.
As for Nottingham Forest, its points tally remains frozen at 18 points in 17th place.
This victory boosts Manchester City’s morale ahead of two tough tests when it visits Sunderland and then hosts Chelsea on the 1st and 4th of January, respectively.
Nottingham, on the other hand, hosts Everton on December 30th, then visits Aston Villa on the third day of the new year 2026.
The first half ended in a goalless draw after a lackluster performance from Manchester City and ineffective attempts from its attacking stars, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki.
Three minutes into the second half, Cherki passed a through ball to Reijnders, who shot with his left foot from inside the penalty area, giving the visitors the lead.
City enjoyed the lead for only 6 minutes when Igor Jesus passed the ball to Hutchinson, who shot into the net of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manchester City pressed, seeking to take the lead again, but Nottingham’s goalkeeper, John Victor, was alert in blocking attempts from Cherki, Foden, and Reijnders.
After a cross from the right side, headed down by Joško Gvardiol, Cherki met it with a direct shot into the net, scoring the winning goal at a crucial time.
Liverpool Continues Its Awakening
The Liverpool team continued its awakening with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over guest Wolverhampton.
Liverpool took the lead with a quick double scored by Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz in the 41st and 42nd minutes of the match held at Anfield.
German player Wirtz scored his first goal in a Liverpool shirt in the Premier League after participating in 17 matches in the competition following his arrival in a major deal from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
In contrast, Santiago Bueno scored the visitors’ only goal in the 51st minute.
Liverpool achieved its third consecutive win and tenth in its league campaign this season, raising its points tally to 32 and jumping to fourth place. As for Wolverhampton, it remains at the bottom of the table with only 2 points in 20th place.
German player Wirtz scored his first goal in a Liverpool shirt in the Premier League.
Arsenal Victory
The Arsenal team held its fans’ breath with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over guest Brighton.
Arsenal ended the first half leading with a goal scored by Norwegian midfielder Martin Ødegaard with a powerful left-footed shot in the 14th minute.
The hosts reinforced their lead with an own goal mistakenly scored by Brighton player Joël Veltman into his own net after heading a corner kick, giving Arsenal a second goal in the 52nd minute.
However, Diego Gómez reduced the deficit for Brighton with a goal in the 64th minute after following up on a rebound from the post with a direct shot into the net.
Manchester City
Manchester City is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton). The club has a rich history, achieving major domestic and European success in the 21st century following transformative investment, with its home matches played at the Etihad Stadium since 2003.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest is a professional football club based in Nottingham, England, founded in 1865, making it one of the oldest football clubs in the world. It is historically renowned for winning the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) in both 1979 and 1980 under the management of Brian Clough.
The City Ground
The City Ground is the home stadium of Nottingham Forest Football Club, located on the banks of the River Trent in England. It opened in 1898 and has been the club’s home ever since, hosting significant matches including European Cup finals in the late 1970s.
Nottingham
Nottingham is a historic city in central England, famously associated with the legend of Robin Hood and its network of medieval caves. Its history is deeply tied to the lace-making and textile industries during the Industrial Revolution. Key landmarks include Nottingham Castle, built on a sandstone outcrop, and the City of Caves attraction.
England
England is a country within the United Kingdom with a rich history dating back to ancient settlements. It was unified under the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England in the 10th century and later became the core of the vast British Empire. Its cultural landmarks range from prehistoric sites like Stonehenge to medieval castles, Gothic cathedrals, and modern institutions.
Arsenal
The Arsenal is a historic military complex in Venice, Italy, founded in the early 12th century. It was the heart of the Venetian Republic’s naval power, functioning as a state-owned shipyard that pioneered early assembly-line production techniques to build and maintain its formidable fleet.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a historic port city in northwest England, which grew to global prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries due to its pivotal role in trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, and as a major emigration port. Its cultural significance is recognized by its UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, and it is globally famed as the birthplace of The Beatles.
Sunderland
Sunderland is a city in Northeast England historically known for its shipbuilding and coal-mining industries, which drove its growth during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is a cultural hub featuring sites like the National Glass Centre, reflecting its heritage in glassmaking since the 7th century.
Chelsea
Chelsea is a historic and affluent district in West London, known for its association with the arts and the annual Chelsea Flower Show. Its history includes being a fashionable village outside London since the 16th century and a hub for artists and writers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The area is also home to the Chelsea Football Club, founded in 1905.
Everton
Everton is a district in Liverpool, England, historically known as a working-class area and as the home of Everton Football Club, founded in 1878. The club’s original home was Anfield, and its history is deeply intertwined with the industrial and social development of the city.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa is a professional football club based in Birmingham, England, founded in 1874. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in English football, having won the First Division title seven times and the European Cup in 1982. The club plays its home matches at Villa Park, a stadium it has occupied since 1897.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city in the West Midlands of England, historically part of Staffordshire, which grew significantly during the Industrial Revolution due to its role in coal mining, steel production, and lock manufacturing. Its cultural landmarks include the Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the grand St. Peter’s Collegiate Church, which dates back to the 13th century.
Anfield
Anfield is a football stadium in Liverpool, England, and the historic home of Liverpool Football Club since 1892. Originally the home of Everton FC from 1884 to 1891, the stadium is famed for its atmosphere and the iconic “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem sung by its supporters.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen is a German professional football club founded in 1904 by employees of the pharmaceutical company Bayer AG. The club is historically known for its strong performances in the Bundesliga and European competitions, while famously never having won the German championship until the 2023/24 season.
Brighton
Brighton is a vibrant seaside resort on England’s south coast, historically known as a fishing village. Its modern prominence began in the 18th century when it became a fashionable destination after the Prince Regent (later King George IV) built the exotic Royal Pavilion there. Today, it is famous for its iconic pier, lively arts scene, and diverse cultural events.
