Matheus Nunes is about to face his biggest Man City challenge yet

A moment of madness made all the madder by the person who did it. A Rodri red card? For violent conduct? The most mild-mannered and composed player in the Premier League, that Rodri? Are you sure?

Before Saturday afternoon, Rodri had never been sent off in over 400 games for club and country in his glittering career. But after Morgan Gibbs-White dangled the bait, the Spaniard couldn't help but bite. A fairly typical bit of handbags escalated as Rodri, for a split second, raised his hands to the Nottingham Forest player's throat but that was enough.

Gibbs-White sold the attack like prime Terry Funk. You could almost see his thought process. 'Oh he's just grabbed me, I should dive to the ground holding my face that'll get him sent off!' And so it did. It's frustrating but the usually cool cucumber let the heat get to him and he saw red figuratively and then literally.

Thankfully, it didn't prove to be costly on the day. Manchester City had already gained a 2-0 lead after Phil Foden and Erling Haaland had both finished off an excellent move each within 14 minutes.

RATINGS: Walker and Foden excellent in win vs Forest

ALSO READ: Guardiola reaction to Rodri red card could earn him same treatment as Cancelo

It was nervy and difficult at times with just 10 men and Pep Guardiola even reverted to a rarely seen back-five, but City held on for a sixth win on the spin. It's instead the coming days where the dismissal could come to haunt City.

Given his red card was for violent conduct, Rodri's suspension will be for three games rather than just the one. As a result, he will miss Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle United, the trip to Wolves on Saturday and then the big one: the first meeting of the season with title