Following the sad news of John Robertson’s passing, Forest paid tribute to their greatest player with an emotional minute of applause before kick-off at the City Ground.
The hosts – who were wearing black armbands in memory of their two-time European Cup winner – threatened to take an early lead when Callum Hudson-Odoi whipped in a dangerous cross towards Morgan Gibbs-White, who failed to make contact with a delivery that deserved to be guided home.
That opening proved to be one of the rare chances of a cagey first period, where Forest’s defensive shape and discipline negated the attacking threat of a City side that had scored in the first half of each of their previous seven competitive outings.
Neither side was able to muster a shot on target before the break, but that soon changed when Tijjani Reijnders broke the deadlock within three minutes of the restart.
The former AC Milan midfielder made an intelligent run in behind to latch onto Cherki’s disguised pass before keeping his cool to slot the ball past John Victor.
Buoyed by his assist, Cherki went close to putting his own name on the scoresheet just moments later, but he was unable to find a way past Victor at the near post.
After being pushed onto the ropes by City’s fast start to the second period, Dyche’s charges showed great character to fight back with a patiently worked equaliser.
Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White played their part in working the ball to Igor Jesus, who pulled it back for Omari Hutchinson to slide home a first-time finish to the delight of the home support.
Hutchinson’s first goal for the Tricky Trees looked set to frustrate Guardiola’s charges until Cherki produced a decisive moment of quality in the closing stages.
A deep corner was headed back for the 22-year-old to drill a low shot through Gibbs-White’s legs and just past the unsighted Victor.
Cherki’s effort sealed an eighth consecutive win in all competitions, moving City into top spot for the time being and leaving Forest just one place clear of the bottom three.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
