Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola talks to Manchester City's English midfielder Jack Grealish Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola talks to his midfielder Jack Grealish during the English Premier League football match against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England. Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP
Image: Oli Scarff/AFP
It came as welcome relief for Pep Guardiola as Manchester City broke a seven-match winless run, as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in their English Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening.
That run included six defeats which was the worst stretch of Guardiola’s career as coach.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku earned the champions a much-needed win.
The three points saw City move back into the top four with 26 points, nine behind table-toppers Liverpool who drew 3-3 with Newcastle in their clash also on Wednesday.
"We needed it. The club, the players needed to win but it is just one game,” Guardiola said.
Though the win was warmly received, defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji picked up injuries.
"The problems continue with Manu and Nathan," said Guardiola.
"In general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and finally we won, but we have to continue.”
Ahead of the game, there had been speculation of tension between Guardiola and De Bruyne as the player returned from injury but the manager dismissed such talk.
"Last season was many months (out injured) and this season as well. I'm so happy he's back," said Guardiola.
"He fought a lot. In respect to his physicality and minutes against Feyenoord was not good and that's why I decided not to play at Anfield (against Liverpool) for the rhythm they play.
"But the minutes he played at Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes."