Man City player ratings vs Forest: Six stars struggle as Blues fire blank in defeat | Football | Sport

Manchester City slumped to their ninth Premier League defeat of the season away to fellow Champions League chasers, Nottingham Forest. It leaves Pep Guardiola‘s side with work to do in the race for top four, as Forest move four points clear of the Premier League champions.

After a tight first-half, the game was always going to be decided on a moment of individual brilliance, and that eventually arrived 10 minutes from time when Callum Hudson-Odoi danced into the penalty area before rifling a strike beyond Ederson. The City goalkeeper should’ve done better, but it took nothing away from the sweeping counter-attack, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross-field pass starting to move off.

City huffed and puffed in the remaining 10 minutes but apart from a Mateo Kovacic half-chance, the Blues didn’t come close. It marks another difficult day for Guardiola and his struggling City side.

Express Sport reacts with player ratings to another disappointing day for Manchester City..

Ederson – 5

Had pulled off a stunning save to keep the score level midway through the second half, but was left with egg on his face for Hudson-Odoi’s goal. Threw a careless hand at the ball and was easily beaten at his near post.

Matheus Nunes – 5

One step forward, two steps back for the Portuguese makeshift right-back after a solid showing vs Spurs last time out. Granted, the ex-Wolves man is playing far from his natural position, but he constantly looked a step off it.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 8

The only standout player in a City shirt. After the horrors of his debut against Chelsea, the Uzbekistan international has bounced back with a number of solid performances and has earned his spot in the City starting XI.

Ruben Dias – 6

Gave as much as he got throughout the game and couldn’t have done too much about the goal that separated the two teams. The 27-year-old is developing a strong partnership with Khusanov him.

Josko Gvardiol – 6

Tidy in possession as usual, but he was turned inside out by Hudson-Odoi for the winger’s winner. Lacked support from his winger, but didn’t engage quick enough and struggled to keep up with the Forest attacker’s twisting and turning.

Nico Gonzalez – 7

A breath of fresh air in midfield for City, who has provided a touch of much-needed ball-winning experience in midfield. Brushed the post with a stinging strike in the first half and looked comfortable in possession throughout his 60-minute cameo. The visitors fell apart when he went off the pitch.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Endured a quiet first half but ought to have done better with City’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes. Never looked comfortable as he skewed an effort high over the crossbar with an effort that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a rugby field.Was lucky to see out the 90 minutes.

Phil Foden – 6

City’s brightest spark in the first half and if not for better finishing from his team-mates, he might’ve had a couple of assists to his name. The Englishman wasn’t happy with Guardiola when he was taken off with 20 minutes to play and understandably so.

Savinho – 5

Lively but found himself continually running into problems down the left-hand side in the first half and then the right-hand side after Guardiola made the switch in the second. Lacked quality when he did find himself in dangerous positions.

Erling Haaland – 5

A quiet day for the striker, who was kept quiet by both Forest centre-backs. Came close with a first-half effort that crept just past the post, but might as well have stayed in the dressing room for the second. It does take two to tango, though, and the Norweigan will argue his team-mates didn’t service him anywhere near enough.

Jeremy Doku – 5

Saw plenty of the ball but did very little with it. Careless in possession and clueless with his deliveries into the box. The talent is clear to see with the Belgian, but Guardiola has a challenge on his hands making him and Haaland compatible.

Substitutes:

Rico Lewis – 5

Struggled against the pacey Forest wingers during transition.

Mateo Kovacic – 5

Was called upon to replace Nico Gonzalez after the Spanish midfielder was taken off while on a yellow card, but the Croatian failed to adapt to the pace of the game. Almost made amends with a half volley that sailed just wide of Sels’ far post.

Kevin De Bruyne – 6

Deployed as an impact sub and almost had the desired impact. Flashed a shot just wide of the post moments after coming on and forced Matz Sels into a save from a free-kick late on.

Omar Marmoush – 6

Ineffective off the bench. His only real contribution was a clumsy challenge that almost led to a Forest goal.