PLAYER RATINGS: KDB stepped up for when it mattered & Gvardiol was key

Manchester City ensured they remained slim favourites to retain their Premier League crown after beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The returning Erling Haaland settled City's second-half nerves shortly after being brought on as a substitute and moved the champions just one point behind Arsenal.

It was far from plain sailing for Pep Guardiola's slickers before the break with Chris Wood spurning several golden openings and Callum Hudson-Odoi firing off target.

City, though, took the lead a shade after the half-hour mark after Josko Gvardiol powered a header home from a corner - and Haaland went on to seal the victory.

Here, Mail Sport's TOM COLLOMOSSE has rated the players...

MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)

EDERSON 5.5

Was lucky his uncertainty at one Gibbs-White corner did not lead to a goal, as Murillo hit the bar. Appeared to be badly hurt in an earlier collision with Boly and did not reappear for the second half.

KYLE WALKER 6.5

No protection from Doku meant he often had both Aina and Hudson-Odoi to contend with. The England defender did not look as secure as usual but his experience got him through – despite a couple of nervy moments.

MANUEL AKANJI 6

Wood is a tricky opponent for any centre-back and Akanji had some tricky times against Forest's No11. Luckily for the City defender, Wood's radar was off.

NATHAN AKE 7

Showed his terrific recovery pace to catch up with Anthony Elanga and deny him a shooting opportunity, even though the offside flag was up. Looked the more comfortable of City's central defensive pairing.

JOSKO GVARDIOL 7

Not always precise on the ball but decisive at both ends of the pitch, scoring the first goal and then clearing off the line to prevent Wood levelling for Forest at the start of the second