'I didn't have doubts' - Nottingham Forest admission shows Man City have not lost fear factor
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Esperito Santo insists he had no doubts over the quality of Man City's players and their manager Pep Guardiola, despite their recent rotten run of form.
City headed into the visit of Forest at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday on the back of a run of seven games without a win in all competitions - the worst run of form of Guardiola's managerial career.
As City struggled to manage their mounting injury crisis, they succumbed to six defeats in seven matches and doubts were raised as to whether this was the end of an era for a City side who have won four Premier League titles in a row.
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But they sent a reminder of their qualities to those critics on Wednesday, as goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku saw them run out 3-0 winners over Nuno's side.
De Bruyne capped his first start since September with an assist, too, and when asked about his quality, Nuno conceded that although his team were positive in their approach, City haven't lost their fear factor just yet.
"It is very difficult because of his quality. It is not only Kevin De Bruyne, they have quality all over the pitch," Nuno told Nottinghamshire Live.
“It is very difficult to control these kinds of players. It requires players to cover and help. I didn’t have doubts, and I don’t think anyone else had doubts, about the quality of City’s players and their manager.
"We knew we had a hard task ahead of us. I must be very honest with myself and my players, I think we went for it. OK, we lost - that can happen in football. But we challenged ourselves, and that can reflect for the next games.”
The win leaves City trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by nine points after the Reds were held to a 3-3 draw with Newcastle United.
Guardiola's men will look to build on Wednesday's win when they make the trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Saturday.
