Cherki’s Crucial Contribution Fuels City’s Title Aspirations

It marked Cherki’s first league goal since his debut strike on the opening day of the season against Wolves.

While his initial goal simply capped a commanding victory for City, his recent effort against Nottingham Forest could be significant in the title race, as it secured all three points for his team after a less-than-convincing performance at the City Ground.

Cherki now boasts five goals across all competitions this season and leads the Premier League in assists, having set up Tijjani Reijnders for a goal that gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead early in the second half, a lead that was later equalized by Omari Hutchinson.

After joining Manchester City from Lyon for £34 million in June, Cherki’s start was hampered by a seven-week injury hiatus. However, he has emerged as one of the team’s most influential players, contributing to seven goals in his last eight matches in all competitions. Earlier in the week, Erling Haaland encouraged him to replicate his iconic celebration upon scoring.

Cherki shared with TNT Sports: “This week I spoke to Erling, and he said: ‘When you score, do this celebration.’ So I did, and I am so happy. Winning is our primary goal in each match. Today was significant for us; the championship is lengthy and challenging, so this victory is crucial. I am incredibly proud of the team as we faced a tough game. The upcoming match is very important, and we are ready.”

Guardiola acknowledged the toughness of the match against Forest and commended his team’s attitude in overcoming adversity to secure the win. He remarked: “I lost the weight I gained over Christmas today. What a team Sean Dyche has assembled. This was a monumental three points. Nottingham Forest is an incredible team with an impressive style of play. Igor Jesus wins nearly every ball. They have top-quality players. Last season, they were close to competing in the Champions League, and now they are involved in European competitions—a fantastic team and a challenging venue, especially in winter.

“We discussed the importance of being ready for winter matches at Nottingham Forest in recent days. If we had not been prepared today, we would not have secured the win. The mentality was outstanding, and I am delighted with the team’s performance.”

City finds itself in a tightly contested title race with Arsenal, and Guardiola recognizes the monumental effort required to surpass Mikel Arteta’s relentless side and navigate the fiercely competitive Premier League.

He added: “Having played 18 games, we have completed the first half of the season. We understand the challenges ahead, as many matches like today are on the horizon. The Premier League is increasingly challenging, but it is essential to remain in contention. Winning or losing today does not determine our fate; there are still numerous matches to play.”

Manchester City will enjoy five days of rest before embarking on a demanding fixture schedule, visiting Sunderland on January 1, hosting Chelsea on January 4, and then facing Brighton at home on January 8.