Rodri was controversially dismissed from Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but the team nevertheless went five points clear of Nottingham Forest at the top of the Premier League.
As City stretched their perfect start in the Premier League to six games, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland scored goals inside the first 15 minutes.
Although Pep Guardiola’s team has now won 20 straight games at home in all competitions, Rodri’s moment of insanity made them work considerably harder.
Less than 60 seconds into the second half, the Spaniard grabbed Morgan Gibbs-White by the neck. He may be suspended for three games, which would cost him the Premier League match against Arsenal the following month.
“A superb first half of the game. We played 52 minutes against 11, so it was not easy, but we were terrific. It was an exceptional game in the second for our tenacity and work.
“Hopefully Rodri will gain knowledge. He needs to manage his feelings.
The Spanish star received his first-ever red card for it.
Early on, City seemed to put the game to rest by being merciless at their best. Kyle Walker’s cushioned cross was met by a stunning volley from Foden to start the scoring.
Guardiola declared that his team was “in trouble” owing to a spate of injuries after losing Bernardo Silva to injury in a 3-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade.
John Stones and Mateo Kovacic are still out, and Jack Grealish is barely healthy enough to sit on the bench.
However, Matheus Nunes was given the opportunity to make his first league start since signing from Wolves as a result of their absences, and he did so by assisting with the second goal.
After a deft one-two with Foden, the Portuguese chimed the ball across for Haaland to score.
Julian Alvarez’s effort from close range was stopped behind, which may have increased City’s lead.
But until Rodri lost his temper, the European champs did not seem to be in any danger.
Forest’s greatest opportunity to retake the lead came from Taiwo Awoniyi as the talented Nigerian lifted over while being pressed by Ederson.
The Brazilian goalkeeper and Awoniyi then engaged in a heated exchange, lucky to escape having their faces turn red as well.
Guardiola shifted to a back five as City, however, regained control in response to the visitors’ aerial barrage.
Late in the game, after Nathan Ake’s cross, Haaland should have scored again when he spooned over with the goal open.
EVERTON SEES FIRST WIN AT LAST
Meanwhile, struggling Everton defeated Brentford 3-1 to win their first league game of the season and escape the drop zone.
With a potent strike in the sixth minute, Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead.
After 28 minutes, Mathias Jensen tied the score for Brentford against the odds, but James Tarkowski regained Everton’s lead with a header from a corner kick by Dwight McNeil.
Four minutes later, Everton’s long-awaited three points were secured by substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin with a clinical finish.
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