Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez ran riot as Manchester City cruised to a 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad on Wednesday.
Manchester City dominated the proceedings from start to finish, with Nottingham Forest barely carrying a threat at any stage. The Manchester City party began in the 12th minute when Erling Haaland reacted the quickest to a clever ball into the Nottingham Forest box by Phil Foden.
Haaland found the back of the net again midway through the first half by finishing a slick team move that saw Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Ilkay Gundogan, and Phil Foden link up before the Norwegian striker found the back of the net. Haaland then completed his second hat-trick in as many games when Foden and John Stones ping-ponged the ball his way in the 38th minute.
Manchester City could have bolstered the advantage going into half-time but had to wait until five minutes into the second period to score their fourth. Joao Cancelo produced a ripper of a shot in the 50th minute after receiving the ball from Silva.
Pep Guardiola then made a few changes, but that did not slow down Manchester City’s onslaught as Julian Alvarez scored twice to round off the win. With Arsenal also winning on Wednesday, the reigning Premier League champions remain two points adrift of the table toppers. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Pep Guardiola’s men.
Highlights from a sensational night at the Etihad! ?#ManCity pic.twitter.com/VffZXNwqaT
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 31, 2022
Ederson Moraes: 7/10
Ederson had the best seat in the house to watch Manchester City run riot against Nottingham Forest, who only forced one save out of the Brazilian goalkeeper. In the end, he earned a clean sheet for the first time since Gameweek 2.
Kyle Walker: 7/10
Walker has endured a few tough games in the last couple of weeks but looked comfortable against Nottingham Forest. The veteran full-back barely faced any problem in dealing with Morgan Gibbs-White and progressed play efficiently.
John Stones: 8/10
Stones was imperious on Wednesday as he won every duel he contested while completing 96 per cent of his attempted passes. The English international also provided the assist for Erling Haaland’s third goal by pinging the ball towards the Norwegian striker.
Ruben Dias: 7/10
Dias had an easy night out at the Etihad on Wednesday, with Nottingham Forest barely calling him into action. The Portuguese defender won all the aerial duels he contested while playing out from the back effortlessly in a solid showing.
Joao Cancelo: 8/10
The third-most sold player ahead of the deadline, Joao Cancelo (£7.1m) notches his 10th #FPL double-digit haul in #MCINFO ? pic.twitter.com/tsdSgTxn05
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 31, 2022
Cancelo has started the season strongly, and he scored his first goal of the campaign to set the ball rolling in the second half. The Portuguese international unleashed a brilliant strike from the edge of the Nottingham Forest box to make it 4-0. Other than that, he was in his elements and looked to make things happen higher up the pitch.
Bernardo Silva: 8/10
Silva has not let the speculation surrounding his future affect his game, and the Portuguese ace displayed his qualities brilliantly on Wednesday. Silva started the move that ended with Haaland’s second and supplied the assist for Cancelo’s goal while completing 96 per cent of his attempted passes.
Rodri: 7/10
Rodri was a rock in the middle of the park and hardly gave Nottingham Forest the opportunity to foray forward. The Spanish international completed 98 per cent of his attempted passes and even created a couple of chances in a complete performance in the middle of the park.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7.5/10
Gundogan might not have a goal or an assist to show for his efforts, but he ran the show in the middle of the park along with his midfield partners. The Manchester City captain completed 106 of his 110 attempted passes and set up a brilliant chance for Riyad Mahrez, only for the Algerian international to miss the target. Gundogan was also a part of the team move that ended with Haaland’s second.
Julian Alvarez: 10/10
Julian Alvarez’s game by numbers vs. Nottingham Forest:
100% dribbles completed
92% pass accuracy
37 touches
13 final third passes
3/3 accurate long balls
3 shots on target
2 key passes
2 goalsOff the mark in the Premier League. ??? pic.twitter.com/lk3nZYrSVB
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 31, 2022
Alvarez was the player to watch in our preview, and the Argentine attacker showed what he is made of this midweek. Alvarez linked up nicely with Haaland and played his part in the build-up to Manchester City’s second goal. And the former River Plate man ended the game with two well-taken goals to complete a hard-earned brace. He is going places.
Erling Haaland: 10/10
The Erling Haaland juggernaut continues to roll on, with the Norwegian striker scoring another hat-trick on Wednesday. Haaland showed tremendous awareness in the build-up to each goal while also displaying his passing abilities leading up to his second strike. He is now up to nine goals in five Premier League games this season.
Erling Haaland v Palace on Saturday: ⚽⚽⚽
Erling Haaland v Forest on Wednesday: ⚽⚽⚽
Erling Haaland to @alanshearer in pre-season: ???#MCFC #MCINOT #MOTD pic.twitter.com/wUEJ0FaXwP— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) August 31, 2022
Phil Foden: 9/10
Foden was phenomenal in the first half on Wednesday as he was involved in each of Haaland’s three goals. The English international played the final pass for the Norwegian striker’s first two strikes before pinging the ball towards Stones in the build-up to Manchester City’s third. He is coming into his own this season.
SUBSTITUTES
Riyad Mahrez: 7.5/10
Mahrez should have scored in the game’s final quarter when on the edge of the Nottingham Forest box, but his effort went wide. But the Algerian international played his part in the build-up to the two goals from Alvarez, ending the game strongly.
Cole Palmer: 7/10
Palmer was on the pitch for over half an hour and showed why Guardiola is reluctant to lose him despite interest from clubs across Europe over a loan move. The youngster circulated possession smartly and also put in the hard yards off the ball.
Sergio Gomez: 7/10
Gomez settled in nicely and looked comfortable on the left flank for Manchester City. His crosses will prove a nightmare as the season progresses.
Kevin De Bruyne: 8/10
De Bruyne was a surprise omission from the starting lineup, but the Belgian playmaker made his mark in the game’s final quarter, playing his part in the build-up to Alvarez’s second goal.
Rico Lewis: N/A
Lewis was a late introduction and looked decent in his cameo.
