Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City; Forest dominate the Blues at City Ground as the gap extends at the top

Nottingham Forest put on a spectacle against Manchester City, with Liam Delap scoring a brace and Jair Cunha adding his name to the scoresheet. 

Enzo Maresca's men could have reduced the gap on champions and league leaders Arsenal to three points away against Oliver Glasner's side.

However, tonight's performance was far from ideal following a toeless defeat to Brighton last matchday.

City reduced the deficit by one but couldn’t get the best of Oliver Glasner’s men. 

Forest made a picture-perfect start against Enzo Maresca’s men, scoring the opening goal in just five minutes. 

Erling Haaland has scored five goals in his first four Premier League games against Forest but has since gone four games without a goal against the Tricky Tees. 

The atmosphere in City Ground could be cut with a knife, with the home supporters erupting in their “cheater” chants with the blue fans responding by holding their inflatable bananas. 

The symbol is used to represent fan solidarity, and playful defiance during turbulent times in the club’s history. 

Cunha is the man to score the first goal of the season for Forest. 

The opening goal is a result of a defensive error from the City defender’s, Josko Gvardiol’s touch is weak in recovery and Jair Cunha gets possession and pokes the ball into the bottom corner. 

Gianluigi Donnarumma gloves couldn’t stretch far enough to make the save. 

Jeremy Doku looked to respond soon after with a shot blocked behind for a corner, Enzo Fernandez shoots it in but it doesn’t beat the first player. 

Forest soon doubled the lead, when Xaver Schlager pounced on an open ball in the midfield, laying it out for former City striker Liam Delap who charged and sent a powerful shot into the net. 

City were unable to shake the mounting pressure for the remainder of the first half, with the Forest players piling onto them leaving them no room to create chances. 

Haaland got the first shot on target, but Mat Selz made a safe save denying the striker. 

Enzo Fernandes and Ryan Cherki were unstable between the lines, often not getting back enough making it easier for Forest to threaten a counter attack.

Maresca’s men had a messy first half, often losing the ball in central spots of the midfield, creating extreme vulnerability for Forest to exploit. 

Glasner’s side went into the break with a heavy 2-0 lead. 

Gvardiol and Marc Guehi both made way for Matheus Neunes and Nico O’Reilly in the second half. 

City were quick to make another error just minutes in, with O’Reilly losing the ball following a foot race to James McAtee, gifting Delap a free kick. 

The Blues finally broke the scoreline when Forest attempted a clearance, but it fell to Rayan Cherki, who sent it into the roof of the net. 

The Citizens were back in the game. 

They were able to find their rhythm after reducing the deficit by one; Haaland’s efforts came next with a touch into the top corner, but he didn’t get enough on it. 

McAttee is booked for the first yellow card of the game after getting into a scuffle with Elliot Anderson. 

Glasner turned to his bench and subbed on Luca Netz and Dan Ndoye for McAttee and Daniel Munoz. 

Dan N’Doye was booked a yellow for taking on Iliman Ndiaye, charging through the field, and dragging the winger back. 

Forest had more to give, and Delap was the man who got it done. 

They win the ball in their half when Morgan Gibbs-White converts into an attack with a counter, finding Delap’s feet; he charges the shot into the top corner. 

A stunning sight in City Ground - a 19th-placed team completely bullying the eight-time Premier League Champions. 

The Forest fans erupted in jeers; their team, which hasn’t scored a single goal this season, was dismantling a treble-winning club. 

City had little left to give towards the final minutes of play. 

Forest held onto their lead until the final whistle and were boosted to 16th place on the Premier League table, escaping the relegation zone. 

Manchester City have now lost three consecutive games, and will have to put on a steady defensive performance against Fulham after the international break in order to close the gap on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.