How the players rated as the Cityzens snapped their seven-game streak without a victory in emphatic fashion at the Etihad Stadium

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Finally, Manchester City have returned to winning ways. Thirty-nine days after their victory over Southampton and seven matches without success, Pep Guardiola’s team rediscovered the joy of triumph with a commanding 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, driven by a stellar performance from Kevin De Bruyne.

Following an unprecedented run of four consecutive league defeats, Guardiola made four adjustments to the squad that lost to Liverpool and slipped 11 points off the pace. He brought back De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and Josko Gvardiol. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with his first goal since the Community Shield, giving City a strong start. However, a nervy moment came when De Bruyne’s back-pass found Forest’s leading scorer, Chris Wood, who fortunately missed the target.

De Bruyne, visibly relieved, quickly made amends with a stunning strike into the top corner. Doku later sealed the win in style, cutting in from the left and blasting the ball into the net with an impressive solo effort.

GOAL rates Man City’s players from the Etihad Stadium…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Stefan Ortega (7/10):

Made a fine save to swat away a Gibbs-White strike heading for the top corner and put off Wood. Did more than enough to keep his place over Ederson for at least another week.

Manuel Akanji (5/10):

Looked a bit rusty and was taken off at half-time.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

His leadership is starting to shine through again after a long period out.

Nathan Ake (6/10):

Solid at the back and positive going forward, playing his part in the move for the opening goal. Hobbled off near the end with a suspected injury.

Josko Gvardiol (6/10):

Got forward a lot but was wasteful, missing with a header and scuffing a clear opening from inside the area.

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Midfield

Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):

His best display since returning, controlling the game by getting on the ball as much as possible.

Bernardo Silva (7/10):

Very lively in the first half, constantly probing from the right after breaking his four-month goal drought.

Kevin De Bruyne (8/10):

Back with a bang. Made his first start since September and every move in the final third went through him. His goal was a rocket and only a fine save from Sels prevented him scoring again.

Attack

Jack Grealish (6/10):

Worked hard defensively and knitted the midfield together.

Erling Haaland (4/10):

Had an early shot saved and did almost nothing afterwards. Yes, he got an assist, but Doku did all the work. Will be very disappointed not to have got in on the act and his bad night was summed up when he ballooned a shot over at the end.

Jeremy Doku (7/10):

Ripped Forest’s right-hand side to shreds in the second half and scored a wonderful goal.

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Subs & Manager

Kyle Walker (6/10):

Had a comfortable 45 minutes which he really needed given his recent form.

Rico Lewis (6/10):

Got forward a lot after replacing De Bruyne.

Savinho (N/A):

Came on in added time.

James McAtee (N/A):

Brought on in added time.

Matheus Nunes (N/A):

Came on in added time.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Freshened up his starting XI and it paid dividends as two of the recalled players scored. And this time his early changes didn’t come back to bite him.