Manchester City kept up their 100% record in the Premier League after beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Two goals within the opening 15 minutes from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland was enough for the champions despite a red card to Rodrigo at the start of the second half. Forest fall to a third defeat in the league but managed to keep City out more in comparison to the 6-0 defeat last season.
Pep Guardiola made one change from the last league game against West Ham United in which they won 3-1. Bernardo Silva came out the side for Portuguese teammate Matheus Nunes as the summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers made his first start since arriving at the champions of Europe. Steve Cooper made five changes to his side that drew 1-1 to Burnley. Nicolas Dominguez made his first start since his deadline day switch from Bologna. Nuno Tavares, Willy Boly, Serge Aurier and Moussa Niakhate also came into the side.
It took the hosts just seven minutes to take the lead and it was England international Foden who struck home. Rodri sent a diagonal ball behind the defence that Kyle Walker got onto the end of and he played it back first time for Foden who found the bottom corner. The 23 year old opening his account for the new season in style as Forest could barely get hold of the ball.
City doubled their lead seven minutes later through last seasons golden boot winner Haaland. Some nice quick flowing football on the right side sent Nunes behind the defence and he chipped the ball into the Norwegian who had a free header to secure his seventh league goal in five games. The striker looking to replicate his 36 league goal tally from last season while netting his fourth goal against Cooper's side.
2-0 was the score at the interval as it was the home side who dominated proceedings. Forest really struggled to get hold of the ball so could not create any chances but were staying resilient at the back to keep the score down.
The second half started off fiery with a red card being shown to Manchester City midfielder Rodri. An incident with Morgan Gibbs-White in the corner flag saw the Spain international grab the Forest star round the neck which was seen as violent conduct and he was sent off. The midfielder seen as a key part in the City team and is deemed as one of the best midfielder in the world but it was a poor moment for the former Athletico Madrid man.
Despite the sending off, the home side came close to adding a third goal. Walker's quick free kick found Nathan Ake on the left side of the box and he sent a ball across to Haaland who blazed over from close range. Despite the amount of goals he has scored, the striker has missed some big chances so far this season with this being added to the list.
Forest did threaten in stoppage time. Gibbs-White's lofted pass came to substitute Anthony Elanga and his low volley was brilliantly saved by Ederson. Elanga looking to find the net away from home again after scoring the winner at Chelsea before the Burnley fixture.
That was the final action of the game as City picked up another three points. Their performance level went down after going down to ten men but would be disappointed that they could not add more. Guardiola's side next travel to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup Forest saw more of the ball in the second half but struggled to create chances that were clear cut. Dominguez impressed on his debut and will be looking to keep his place in the side for the visit of Brentford for their first game in October.
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