Pep: This was a massive three points | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says City’s 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest is a ‘massive win’.

The Blues had to fight tooth and nail to fend off a dogged and determined Forest side, with the hosts cancelling out Tijjani Reijnders’ opening goal just six minutes after the Blues had gone ahead.

There were chances at either end before Rayan Cherki drilled through a crowded box to secure victory on 83 minutes to give City a vital victory.

“Winter time, Nottingham Forest away… I know the memory is weak, but when we won one of the six Premier Leagues this type of game happens a lot,” said Pep.

“Three points, but it’s a massive three points, mainly for the quality of the opposition.

“Sean Dyche has created a proper team, because they’re so good.

“A few months ago they were fighting for the Champions League, Nuno made an incredible job here, they qualified for Europe.

“And they add new players, you see Hutchinson, Igor, Hudson-Odoi, the quality for Anderson, Gibbs-White, and how they defend, they love to defend, Milinkovic-Savic, Savona I know him from Juventus last season, he can play centre-back.

“It’s a top, top side. I know the momentum isn’t good in terms of results but that doesn’t change the quality there and the aggression of Sean Dyche of all the teams is there.

“We talked about that; we needed an incredible mentality. It’s more important how you suffer and defend, accept you can be better and be in the game, otherwise, no chance will you win, that game last season we lost.

“Since then, a long time the team want to do it and of course, the last game of the first leg of the season it’s good to finish with this important three points.”

The reaction at the end of the game by the City players, boss and coaching staff told its own story.

The Blues lost 1-0 at the City Ground last season but instead emerged victorious on this occasion and recorded an eighth successive win in all competitions.

“It was a critical moment, it changed in the United States of America in the Club World Cup,” said the boss.

“We looked at ourselves and talked a lot and changed for many things. Now, it’s a process. I’m complete, when we won a lot of titles in Barcelona, Bayern Munich, here, you have a lot of games of this type.

“The body language, how we celebrated, the connection with the fans is there, they love the keepers, the strikers, the people because they feel the team want to do it and fight for each other.

“The fans accept if you play bad, but don’t if you don’t put the heart or commitment for the people who adore that club, and that connection is there but I think it’s been there for a long time, for many months.”

City v Brighton tickets on general sale

We welcome an entertaining Brighton side to the Etihad at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 7 January.

And with tickets now on general sale, you could be there to see it!

Fans can now claim three tickets each, with adults from £30 and concessions as low as £15.

Or make it a night to remember with hospitality packages starting from just £180 per person and a wide range of experiences available to suit your budget.

Kick off the new year in style!