It was a tale of two halves at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Nottingham Forest were beaten by Pep Guardiola’s treble winners.

Despite Manchester City’s complete and utter dominance – perhaps expected to some degree – in the first half, and a couple of early goals scored, it didn’t stop Steve Cooper’s side showing real spirit & desire to get something from the game in the second half when the home side were reduced to ten men.

The first half:

A start Nottingham Forest fans dreaded, a nightmare; City started with an Alvarez kick-off, and just two minutes later an excellent ball from the midfield finds an on-running Kyle Walker, who threads through a short pass to Phil Foden on the edge of the six-yard box, and City now found themselves a goal up early-on.

The Citizens wouldn’t stop there either as summer signing Matheus Nunes chips in a sublime ball in the air to Erling Haaland, who scores yet another goal for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Dominance for the Blue’s would continue – Rodri’s incredible passing ability matched with Walker & Foden’s excellent link-up play down the right hand side worried Forest’s defence, but lucky for Cooper’s side, City were held to just two goals in the first half.

The second half:

It was now City’s time for a nightmare start to a half, as star midfielder, Rodrigo, is sent off for violent conduct against Morgan Gibbs-White. An altercation on the home side’s corner flag lead to an exchange of words, followed up by a push to the neck by Rodri on Gibbs-White – VAR checked it, but it was always a red card. Anthony Taylor had no other choice.

Forest didn’t capitulate however like in other games last season when given an opportunity, this time they used it to the best of their ability, bringing on the likes of Hudson-Odoi & Elanga, with Montiel replacing Tavares due to injury. The substitutes added the flare Forest needed to wound this now-weakened City side with a goal, but despite their effort, and numerous close attempts, it wasn’t meant to be in the second half for Cooper’s Reds.

Nicolas Dominguez’ second half performance was one to talk about; his desire to win the ball back, always be in positions to take the ball forward, and excellent vision, it was a superb debut from the Argentinian. For me, he was the best player for Forest in that second half, changed the dynamic in many ways.

Forest can now look forward optimistically: if they carry such an impressive attacking performance as shown in the second half against City, points should surely follow – that is easier said than done though, I suppose.

*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Moussa Niakhate in action against Manchester City’s Phil Foden.