Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Manchester City boss Guardiola endured setbacks Rayan Cherki But he said he wanted to “kiss him” on the day after his victory against Nottingham Forest.
Cherki showed his talent during an inconsistent period for Manchester City this season, but his 83rd-minute goal at the Manchester City Stadium helped City win 2-1.
The France international had earlier set up Tijani Reynders’ opener but was canceled out by Omari Hutchinson in a fine performance for Forest.
Guardiola said: “Sometimes I yell at him, sometimes I want to kiss him, so I have conflicting feelings towards him.
“I want him to show off his incredible talent. We have to play better in the backfield so he can get the ball more from that position.
“The second half was a little better.”
It was a huge win for City, who have made it six consecutive Premier League wins, and an ominous warning to their title rivals.
After failing to hit the target in the first half, Reynders’ 48th-minute opener was canceled out by Hutchinson six minutes later.
Forest, remembering European Cup-winning winger John Robertson, who died on Christmas Day, had been level with City all game but were thwarted by Cherki’s late goal.
City have found a way to win games that Guardiola admitted his side could have lost last season.
“I know memories are short but when we won six Premier League games there were a lot of those games so it’s a huge three points,” he said.
“Mainly because of the quality of the opponents. Sean Dyche A suitable team has been created. This is the top side.
“It’s more about how you endure, defend, accept that you didn’t play well and accept that you could have done better. Otherwise there’s no chance. It was a 10-10 loss in that game last season.”
Forest boss Dai Qi thinks Morgan Gibbs White Was fouled in the build-up to Cherki’s winning goal and launched into a rant at the referee.
“Obviously, we’ve all seen that. When you play so well you have to talk about the officials who affected the game, but they obviously did,” Dyche said.
“Everyone on the pitch and everyone watching at home can see that. In my opinion it was an easy game to referee and an easy decision for VAR.
“Sometimes I can’t figure out where the football is. I’m a big fan of VAR and I don’t understand why you can’t do that.
“Morgan Gibbs-White was obviously pushed to the ground and the same player was involved (trying to) block the ball.
“But he couldn’t block it because when he jumped it went through the part of his body that could have blocked it.
“No matter how you look at it, it’s a foul. And then they’ll say, ‘Yeah, the ball’s not there’. You’ll say, ‘Okay, so if the ball isn’t near the goalkeeper and you push the goalkeeper to the floor, is that a foul?’
“We all knew that was it. I couldn’t fix it. And then they scored and it was a double whammy.”