City settle in after Rodri red to beat Forest but midfielder will miss Arsenal clash
MAN CITY 2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0
Phil Foden and Erling Haaland allowed Manchester City to maintain their perfect start to the season although the victory may have been a costly one after Rodri was sent off early in the second half.
Pep Guardiola saw his side negotiate virtually the entire second period without the classy midfielder who will now face a three-game suspension.
Foden’s opener, after just seven minutes, came in front of watching England manager Gareth Southgate, who seems to need some convincing of his suitability to be a regular starter in the national team.
But it was the ultimate team goal, featuring 46 passes and a majestic finale.
It ended with Rodri sweeping a pass out to the overlapping Kyle Walker who volleyed the ball back into the area where Foden drove the ball home first-time from 16 yards.
It was City at their devastating best and just seven minutes later, their best goalscorer Haaland showcased his own abilities.
This goal was more routine, and owed much to poor Forest marking, as Foden’s pass found Matheus Nunes, starting his first Premier League game for Guardiola.
His perfect cross picked out an unmarked Haaland six yards from goal and there was only ever going to be one outcome as he firmly headed home.
It was also a perfect response from Haaland who, despite now scoring eight times in just six league games, had failed to show quite the same lethal touch with which he opened last season.
Guardiola had admitted as much before the game, although insisted that anyone who doubts the Norwegian will end up owing him an apology.
The first half had been a completely routine affair for City but that all changed in the opening seconds after the restart when Rodri was shown his red card.
The City
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