Manchester City suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday as Liam Delap’s double inspired Nottingham Forest to a 3-1 win at the City Ground, lifting the hosts out of the relegation zone.
Forest secured their first home league win of the season with an impressive performance that exposed City’s defensive weaknesses and intensified pressure on manager Enzo Maresca.
Jair Cunha and Delap gave the hosts a two-goal advantage before half-time, capitalising on defensive errors from the visitors.
City attempted to fight back after the break, with Rayan Cherki reducing the deficit through a stunning half-volley. However, Forest remained dangerous on the counter-attack, and Delap produced another spectacular finish to restore their two-goal cushion and seal the victory.
The result leaves Manchester City six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who defeated Hull 1-0 earlier on Saturday, while Forest climbed to 16th place, two points clear of the relegation zone.
The defeat also pushed Manchester United into the relegation zone for the first time at this stage of a Premier League season.
City’s disappointing run comes amid uncertainty surrounding the club following their case involving more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations. A guilty verdict could expose the club to significant sporting sanctions, including a potential points deduction, subject to the ongoing legal process.
Maresca admitted his side failed to match Forest’s intensity, particularly in the first half.
‘It’s quite clear, first half we were not good enough to match the intensity that this kind of game requires,’ the City manager said.
‘We concede two and then we try to react, but most of the time in football when you are 2-0 down, it’s too late.’