Manchester City suffered their third consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday, losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground as Liam Delap scored twice to help the hosts move out of the relegation zone.
Forest took control early, capitalising on defensive mistakes to establish a two-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes through Jair Cunha and Delap.
Cunha opened the scoring after dispossessing Josko Gvardiol inside the City half before advancing towards goal and beating Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Delap doubled the advantage after Xaver Schlager won possession in midfield and released the forward, who drove forward from inside his own half before firing past Donnarumma.
The goal was Delap’s first at home for Forest since his £50 million move from Chelsea.
City responded after the break, with Rayan Cherki reducing the deficit with a powerful finish from Jeremy Doku’s deflected cross.
Erling Haaland came close to equalising but sent his effort narrowly wide as City pressed for a second goal.
Forest, however, restored their two-goal cushion in the 75th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White set up Delap, who beat Donnarumma with another powerful finish, this time with his left foot.
The result leaves City six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and increases the pressure on their title challenge.
Forest, meanwhile, secured only their second league victory of the season and climbed out of the relegation zone after scoring their first home goal of the campaign.
City’s defeat also comes amid uncertainty over the club’s financial charges. The club faces a potential points deduction following a verdict against it over alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, although the outcome remains subject to appeal.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner had threatened significant changes after a poor start to his tenure, and his side responded with a clinical performance against the defending challengers.
The victory also pushed Manchester United into the relegation zone ahead of their match against Aston Villa on Sunday.
