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By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER and JACK GAUGHAN and TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL REPORTER Updated: 02: 00 AEDT, 28 December 2025 212 View comments Relive Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester City to the City Ground in the Premier League, with Jack Gaughan and Tom Collomosse reporting from the grounds. Well, for now at least. Manchester City continued their fine form at the City Ground to leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table for a couple of hours, at least. Rayan Cherki was the star of the show, yet again, with an assist and a late winner to secure a massive three points. I now need to dash, but I will see you all later this evening. Thank you for joining us today. Tara for now! Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester City goalscoer, on TNT Sports: On Pep Guardiola: Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest boss, on TNT Sports: Manchester City have signed what we call in the football buisness, a maverick. Rayan Cherki is an absolute baller. Once again, the midfielder was the best player on the pitch today. the way he floats through midfieds and defences on a weekly basis is just a joy to watch. I mean, that pass for Tijjani Reijnders was just a joke, I don't know how he saw it. Since the start of November, only Erling Haaland (8 goals, 3 assists) and Bruno Fernandes (3 goals, 6 assists) have been involved in more Premier League goals than Cherki (1 goal, 7 assists). Meanwhile, Cherki has provided more assists than any other player across the big-five European leagues in that period (7). What a signing. Rayan Cherki, Manchester City matchwinner, on TNT Sports: If I were an Arsenal fan, I would be getting worried. It seemed as though the Gunners would win the league at a canter this year, with Manchester City having a slow start to the season, and well, Liverpool stinking the gaff out. But no, Arsenal will need to be prepared to go all the way until the very end because this City team are ready for the title fight. That's now six wins on the spin in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola's team look back to their best. When they stay in the fight until spring, we usually know how the story ends. I'm sure the Gunners will be getting flashbacks. The Manchester City fans are having one hell of a time right now. They are celebrating the win with the players, spreading the Christmas cheer while doing so. I have just seen one fan give Erling Haaland a sky blue Santa hat. Haaland looks like a happy bunny wearing it. A beaming Pep Guardiola then rushes over to the supporters as they serenade him with his song. A great day to be a cityzen. Right, let's take a look at the winner straight off the bat. Rayan Cherki has been a difference maker these past few weeks for Manchester City, and he came up with the goods yet again today. It's a brilliant first-time finish, and the timing of it, after a tough second half, was perfect. Just look at the celebrations. Igor Jesus flops to the floor, wants a penalty. .. . and there is the final whistle. Manchester City hold on for a huge win. They were made to work hard for it, but a sixth-straight Premier League victory sees Pep Guardiola's men head top for the time being. A tough one for Nottingham Forest to take. One more minute, can Nottingham Forest mount one final attack? Well, Gigi Donnarumma has the ball, so I can't see that happening. Manchester City are basically there now. Another substitution. Sean Dyche is trying everything to bring attacking impetus back into this side as Dilane Bakwa replaces Callum Hudson-Odoi. The problem is, Forest can't even get the ball. .. so he might struggle to have an impact. There will be five minutes of stoppage time. Savinho almost renders it pointless instantly as he races into the box, but John Victor denies his strike from a tight angle. Manchester City are trying to kill off Nottingham Forest. Rayan Cherki has more assists than Martinelli, Saka. ..
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