A moment of sheer brilliance in the 65th minute from Rayan Cherki had all at the Etihad Stadium sucking air in awe. The Frenchman burst along the right and cut back, then delivered a scintillating rabona plum on to the head of Phil Foden, who nodded home off the bar. Manchester City had cruised to a 3-0 lead and were heading for second, two points off the top, after Arsenal’s defeat at Aston Villa .

The manager will adore Cherki’s man-of-the-match display as much as there being no second-half defensive horror show to follow the one at Fulham, and you have to wonder if City will again break the hearts of the Gunners come May, when the title is handed out. If Cherki continues to star as he did here then he will join Foden and Erling Haaland as City’s gun attackers who will give them the best chance of yet another crown.

A moment of sheer brilliance in the 65th minute from Rayan Cherki had all at the Etihad Stadium sucking air in awe. The Frenchman burst along the right and cut back, then delivered a scintillating rabona plum on to the head of Phil Foden, who nodded home off the bar. Manchester City had cruised to a 3-0 lead and were heading for second, two points off the top, after Arsenal’s defeat at Aston Villa .

The manager will adore Cherki’s man-of-the-match display as much as there being no second-half defensive horror show to follow the one at Fulham, and you have to wonder if City will again break the hearts of the Gunners come May, when the title is handed out. If Cherki continues to star as he did here then he will join Foden and Erling Haaland as City’s gun attackers who will give them the best chance of yet another crown.

A moment of sheer brilliance in the 65th minute from Rayan Cherki had all at the Etihad Stadium sucking air in awe. The Frenchman burst along the right and cut back, then delivered a scintillating rabona plum on to the head of Phil Foden, who nodded home off the bar. Manchester City had cruised to a 3-0 lead and were heading for second, two points off the top, after Arsenal’s defeat at Aston Villa .

The manager will adore Cherki’s man-of-the-match display as much as there being no second-half defensive horror show to follow the one at Fulham, and you have to wonder if City will again break the hearts of the Gunners come May, when the title is handed out. If Cherki continues to star as he did here then he will join Foden and Erling Haaland as City’s gun attackers who will give them the best chance of yet another crown.

⚽ Premier League updates from the 5.30pm GMT kick-off
⚽ Live scores | Table | Follow us on Bluesky | Email Scott

Readers react to the updated Premier League table. “I’ve been fairly relaxed about Liverpool’s form so far. The title memory is still fresh and, being only the second in 35 years, still worth celebrating. And 450m quid is a lot, but it wasn’t my money. But seven places behind Everton? If that doesn’t qualify as a crisis, then I’m not sure what does: – Tim Woods

“Following Villa’s victory earlier, it’s On! The league is back On!*” – Matt Dony

⚽ Premier League updates from the 5.30pm GMT kick-off
⚽ Live scores | Table | Follow us on Bluesky | Email Scott

Readers react to the updated Premier League table. “I’ve been fairly relaxed about Liverpool’s form so far. The title memory is still fresh and, being only the second in 35 years, still worth celebrating. And 450m quid is a lot, but it wasn’t my money. But seven places behind Everton? If that doesn’t qualify as a crisis, then I’m not sure what does: – Tim Woods

“Following Villa’s victory earlier, it’s On! The league is back On!*” – Matt Dony

⚽ Premier League updates from the 5.30pm GMT kick-off
⚽ Live scores | Table | Follow us on Bluesky | Email Scott

Readers react to the updated Premier League table. “I’ve been fairly relaxed about Liverpool’s form so far. The title memory is still fresh and, being only the second in 35 years, still worth celebrating. And 450m quid is a lot, but it wasn’t my money. But seven places behind Everton? If that doesn’t qualify as a crisis, then I’m not sure what does: – Tim Woods

“Following Villa’s victory earlier, it’s On! The league is back On!*” – Matt Dony

Sean Dyche would not have recognised Everton on his return to the club he saved from relegation and possible administration not so long ago. The former Everton manager was greeted by plush new surroundings, a contented fanbase and a vibrant, confident opponent as the home team rose to fifth in the Premier League with a comfortable defeat of Nottingham Forest.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced another immaculate performance in the heart of Everton’s midfield as a fourth win in five games reinforced the advances made since David Moyes replaced Dyche in January. Dewsbury-Hall forced the first goal and scored the third, with Thierno Barry finally getting off the mark to wild acclaim in-between. Forest were subdued and second-best throughout.

Sean Dyche would not have recognised Everton on his return to the club he saved from relegation and possible administration not so long ago. The former Everton manager was greeted by plush new surroundings, a contented fanbase and a vibrant, confident opponent as the home team rose to fifth in the Premier League with a comfortable defeat of Nottingham Forest.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced another immaculate performance in the heart of Everton’s midfield as a fourth win in five games reinforced the advances made since David Moyes replaced Dyche in January. Dewsbury-Hall forced the first goal and scored the third, with Thierno Barry finally getting off the mark to wild acclaim in-between. Forest were subdued and second-best throughout.

Sean Dyche would not have recognised Everton on his return to the club he saved from relegation and possible administration not so long ago. The former Everton manager was greeted by plush new surroundings, a contented fanbase and a vibrant, confident opponent as the home team rose to fifth in the Premier League with a comfortable defeat of Nottingham Forest.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced another immaculate performance in the heart of Everton’s midfield as a fourth win in five games reinforced the advances made since David Moyes replaced Dyche in January. Dewsbury-Hall forced the first goal and scored the third, with Thierno Barry finally getting off the mark to wild acclaim in-between. Forest were subdued and second-best throughout.