Clinical City sweep Forest aside to book place in final

It lacked the imagination or innovation of their Wembley counterparts, but the message from Manchester City supporters as they unfurled their pre-FA Cup semi-final tifo was crystal clear: City are back.

- PETE HALL

Nottingham Forest 0

Manchester City Lewis (2), Gvardiol (51) 2

While Nottingham Forest supporters displayed their gothicRobin Hood imagery, City fans mirrored their idols on the pitch in their clinical approach. For 45 minutes, their claims had credence. It was not a performance for the ages, but that effortless imperiousness returned to a City side who made it their calling card throughout the Pep Guardiola era of all-out dominance.

They allowed Forest to hit the woodwork three times and cause problems from a commanding position – their 2024-25 jitters are proving difficult to shift. Yet, even for 45 minutes, to return to their previous levels of control and supremacy is a sign that, even if not for the entirety of a football match just yet, the City we feared they might be really are back. This was their sixth win in their last seven matches and booked them their third successive FA Cup final spot.