Sealed with a kiss: Guardiola revels in Cherki starring role

Pep Guardiola is so smitten by Rayan Cherki that the Manchester City boss said he wanted to kiss the “incredible” French star after his virtuoso performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.

Cherki is fast emerging as City’s most influential playmaker in his first season in Manchester following a summer move from Lyon.

The supremely gifted 22-year-old has sometimes left Guardiola frustrated after over-elaborating when a simple pass would be the better option, but he showcased his dazzling skill to great effect at the City Ground.

Cherki set up Tijjani Reijnders’ second half opener with a perfectly weighted pass and then drilled City’s clinical late winner from just inside the area after Omari Hutchinson had levelled for Forest.

“I want to allow him to express his incredible talent. We have to play better from the back so he can get more balls from that position. The second half was a little bit better,” Guardiola said.

“There are moments I shout at him and there are moments I want to kiss him.”

City’s sixth successive win in the Premier League sparked a jubilant response from Guardiola, who was serenaded by City’s travelling fans as he celebrated in front of them after the final whistle.

Guardiola’s side were far from their best against gritty Forest, making the battling nature of their victory meaningful for the Spaniard.

They often flopped in similar situations last season, including a 1-0 loss at the City Ground in March.

And Guardiola admitted his side would have crumbled under the weight of Forest’s aggressive game-plan last term.

Instead, they are firmly in the hunt for a title that would rank among Guardiola’s finest after his rebuilding work over the last 12 months.

“I know the memory is weak but when we won the six Premier Leagues, these types of games have a lot, so this is a massive three points,” he said.

“Mainly for the quality of the opposition. Sean Dyche has created a proper team. It’s a top, top side.

“It’s much more important how you suffer and defend and accept you are not playing good and accept you can be better. Otherwise there is no chance. Last season that game is lost 10 for 10.”