On 27 December 2025 at the City Ground, Manchester City found a late hero. Rayan Cherki scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, and his manager did not hold back. Pep Guardiola praised the young attacker in striking terms after full time, calling him “crazy” and saying he is “a player that gives us a lot of solutions,” as reported by The Sun. Moments later, the warmth ran both ways. In comments carried by Gazeta Express, Cherki described Guardiola as “magical” and admitted, “There are days when I want to kiss him.”

This was not just a late goal. It was a statement about trust, timing, and a player-manager bond that can tilt tight matches. City got three points. Cherki got the spotlight. And Guardiola’s words told us why.

Late winner at the City Ground: a moment that changed everything

The final score reads simple: Nottingham Forest 1–2 Manchester City. But late winners have a special energy. They flip the mood of a stadium in one heartbeat. Cherki’s strike did exactly that. It took a draw and turned it into a win. For a team with high standards, that matters. It keeps belief high and sends a clear message: City can find answers when the clock is running down.

There is also a human side to this moment. A late goal brings joy and calm to the team. It also shows a player who stays sharp under pressure. Cherki did that. He stayed ready, and he delivered when it counted most.

“Cherki turned a draw into a win. That’s elite.”

Pep Guardiola’s verdict: “He’s crazy” and full of solutions

Guardiola’s post-match words stood out. Calling Cherki “crazy” was not a criticism. It sounded like praise for a player who dares to try things and who can surprise defenders. The other line hit even harder: “He is a player that gives us a lot of solutions.” In simple terms, that means Cherki helps solve problems on the pitch. When a game is tight, when a pass does not come off, or when a defense is stubborn, a player like this can change the picture.

Managers value players who can do more than follow a plan. They value players who can create a plan in the moment. Guardiola’s words suggest he sees that spark in Cherki. The praise was public and clear. For a young player, that confidence from the coach is powerful. It can lift performance. It can make a player breathe easier, play freer, and be brave in key moments.

It also tells us something about City’s attack. With Cherki on the field, Guardiola believes he has extra ways to unlock games. That is not a small thing. It shows trust and it shows a growing role for the player.

“If Pep calls you ‘crazy,’ you’re special.”

“Magical” manager, fearless player: a bond built on trust

Cherki’s words about Guardiola were warm and honest. He called his coach “magical” and said, “There are days when I want to kiss him,” as reported by Gazeta Express. This is more than a nice quote. It shows a deep bond between player and manager. It shows joy and respect. Players often perform best when they feel seen and supported. A strong bond can bring out the brave side of a player like Cherki, the side that tries the pass or takes the shot when others might hesitate.

This relationship also helps a team in tough moments. When a coach backs a player, and the player answers with a match-winning goal, the whole squad feels it. It builds trust inside the dressing room. It builds belief that the plan works and that different players can step up at different times.

“That bond can decide the tightest matches.”

Why this win and these words matter for Manchester City

Football is often decided by small margins. Late goals are one of those margins. They tell you a team keeps pushing. They tell you the squad does not panic. Cherki’s winner at Forest is one such moment. It was on the road, it was late, and it turned one point into three.

Now add Guardiola’s praise on top. Public praise shapes narratives. It signals pecking order. It hints at future selections and roles. When Guardiola says a player brings “a lot of solutions,” he is saying that player helps the team handle different game states. That could mean he will be trusted again when the next tight game arrives.

The other side of this story is the human element. Cherki’s “magical” line about Guardiola was not fancy. It was simple and real. It spoke to comfort, clarity, and shared purpose. Players thrive under managers who give them confidence and clear messages. Fans know this. Teammates feel this. And opponents see the results on days like this.

The City Ground as a stage, and the next challenge

The City Ground is a tough stage for any visitor. A late winner there can stick in the mind for a long time. It can be a turning point for a player’s season, or just the start of a bigger run of form. The safe read here is this: Cherki showed he can deliver when the moment is heavy, and his manager made sure everyone heard how much he values that.

What comes next? The details will belong to the next matchday. But the pattern is clear. Cherki feels trusted. Guardiola believes in his spark. And Manchester City, once again, found a way to win when it mattered most.

Final word: talent meets trust

Strip this night down to its simple parts. One late goal. One manager’s praise. One player’s smile and bold words. Put them together and you get a clean picture of where this story is headed. Cherki is not just a highlight clip. He is, in Guardiola’s words, a set of “solutions.” And in Cherki’s words, Guardiola is “magical.”

That is how big teams keep moving forward—by pairing talent with trust. At Nottingham Forest, Manchester City did exactly that. The scoreline says 2-1. The subtext says even more.