Nottingham Forest Stun Manchester City 3-1 as Liam Delap Scores Brace in Impressive Premier League Victory

Match Report

Nottingham Forest delivered one of their most impressive performances of the Premier League season after securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Manchester City at the City Ground on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Forest came into the encounter looking to turn their recent performances into positive results, while Manchester City were hoping to return to winning ways after suffering consecutive league defeats. However, the hosts produced a determined display, taking advantage of defensive mistakes and showing greater efficiency in front of goal.

Liam Delap was the standout performer of the evening, scoring twice to help Forest claim all three points. Jair Cunha also played an important role, giving his side an early advantage, while Rayan Cherki was the only player to find the net for the visitors.

The result represents another significant setback for Manchester City, who have now suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats after previously enjoying an impressive start to their campaign.

Jair Cunha Gives Nottingham Forest an Early Lead

Nottingham Forest wasted little time making their presence felt, taking the lead just six minutes into the contest.

The opening goal came after Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol lost possession under pressure from Jair Cunha. The Forest defender reacted quickly, dispossessing his opponent before advancing towards goal and producing a composed finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City immediately protested, believing there had been a foul during the challenge, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.

The early breakthrough gave Forest the confidence to continue with their aggressive approach. Rather than sitting too deep, the hosts looked dangerous whenever they recovered possession and found opportunities to attack the spaces behind City’s defensive line.

Manchester City attempted to respond through their possession-based football, but their opponents remained organised and difficult to break down.

The visitors enjoyed considerable control of the ball, yet Forest demonstrated that dominating possession does not necessarily translate into creating the more dangerous opportunities.

Liam Delap Doubles Forest’s Advantage

Forest’s second goal arrived in the 18th minute, with Liam Delap producing an excellent finish to increase the hosts’ advantage.

The opportunity developed after Xaver Schlager won possession in midfield following a breakdown in communication between Manchester City’s players.

Schlager quickly released Delap, who found himself with space to attack the opposition defence. The striker drove forward before firing a powerful effort beyond Donnarumma to make it 2-0.

It was a difficult moment for Manchester City, whose defensive organisation had already been exposed by Forest’s direct approach.

Delap’s goal also highlighted the importance of Forest’s ability to transition quickly from defending to attacking. While City continued to dominate possession, their opponents were finding ways to make every mistake count.

Forest could have extended their advantage further before the interval, with James McAtee and other attacking players looking for opportunities to punish the visitors.

Manchester City attempted to reduce the deficit, but Forest maintained their two-goal advantage heading into half-time.

Rayan Cherki Gives Manchester City Hope

Manchester City returned for the second half knowing they needed an immediate response if they were to avoid another disappointing result.

Their improved attacking intent produced a breakthrough seven minutes after the restart.

In the 52nd minute, Rayan Cherki found the back of the net with an impressive half-volley, giving the visitors a much-needed goal and reducing the deficit to 2-1.

The strike offered City renewed hope and changed the atmosphere of the contest. With the scoreline now closer, the visitors increased their attacking pressure in search of an equaliser.

Cherki’s contribution was particularly important because Forest had spent much of the opening period defending against City’s attempts to control the game.

However, the hosts refused to allow the goal to disrupt their approach. They continued to defend with determination, limiting the opportunities available to Manchester City’s forwards.

City’s increased possession did not produce the equaliser they desperately needed, and Forest remained dangerous whenever they found space to launch another counterattack.

Delap Completes His Brace to Seal the Victory

Just when Manchester City appeared capable of finding a way back into the contest, Nottingham Forest delivered another decisive attacking moment.

In the 73rd minute, Liam Delap scored his second goal of the evening to restore Forest’s two-goal advantage and make it 3-1.

The striker completed a brilliant attacking move with a clinical left-footed finish, giving Donnarumma little opportunity to prevent the ball from entering the net.

It was a crucial moment in the match, as Forest had been under pressure following Cherki’s earlier goal.

Delap’s second strike effectively removed the momentum City had been building and gave the home supporters another reason to celebrate.

The former Chelsea forward demonstrated his attacking quality throughout the evening, combining intelligent movement, strength and excellent finishing to punish City’s defensive weaknesses.

Manchester City struggled to produce the response required after conceding the third goal. Forest remained disciplined during the closing stages, protecting their advantage and ensuring the visitors could not mount another comeback.

When the final whistle arrived, Forest had secured a deserved 3-1 victory.

Match Statistics: Forest Make Their Chances Count

The statistics highlighted the contrasting approaches adopted by both teams.

Manchester City finished the match with 78 per cent possession, compared with Nottingham Forest’s 22 per cent. However, the visitors’ control of the ball did not produce a corresponding advantage on the scoreboard.

City registered 12 total shots, while Forest managed 11. The hosts recorded five shots on target, compared with City’s four.

Forest also demonstrated greater efficiency in front of goal, converting three of their attempts into goals.

The visitors recorded four shots off target and four blocked efforts, while Forest registered three shots off target and three blocked attempts.

Another interesting difference came in the number of opportunities created inside the penalty area. Manchester City recorded 10 attempts inside the box, compared with Forest’s seven.

City also missed three big chances, while Forest did not record any big chances missed in the supplied match statistics.

Despite spending much of the evening without possession, Forest showed that organisation, discipline and clinical finishing can make the difference against technically superior opponents.

Man of the Match: Liam Delap

Delap was instrumental in Forest’s victory, scoring twice and delivering the attacking quality needed to secure all three points.

Liam Delap deserves the Man of the Match recognition following his outstanding contribution against Manchester City.

The Nottingham Forest forward was a constant problem for the visitors, using his physical presence, movement and finishing ability to expose weaknesses in their defensive structure.

His first goal in the 18th minute was particularly important because it gave Forest a comfortable two-goal advantage before the interval. His ability to drive forward and finish confidently demonstrated the threat he posed whenever City lost possession.

However, his contribution was not limited to the opening period. When Manchester City reduced the deficit through Cherki, Forest needed another attacking moment to regain control of the encounter.

Delap delivered exactly that in the 73rd minute, completing his brace with another impressive finish.

The second goal was arguably the most important of the evening because it stopped City’s growing momentum and restored the two-goal cushion.

Beyond his goals, Delap offered Forest a reliable attacking outlet, allowing his teammates to move forward and giving the opposition defence another problem to deal with.

His performance was particularly encouraging considering the difficult spell he had experienced previously at Chelsea. The striker showed renewed confidence and demonstrated why he can be an important figure in Forest’s attacking plans.

Scoring twice against a club competing for the Premier League title is a significant statement, and Delap will hope to build on this performance in the coming fixtures.

What the Result Means for Both Teams

For Nottingham Forest, this victory could represent an important turning point in their season.

The club had been struggling to turn encouraging performances into positive results, and the pressure surrounding their league position had continued to increase.

Defeating Manchester City will provide a significant confidence boost, particularly considering the quality of the opposition.

Oliver Glasner will also be encouraged by the discipline his players demonstrated throughout the encounter. Forest defended when necessary, attacked with purpose and made their opportunities count.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have serious questions to answer following another disappointing result.

Having lost three consecutive Premier League matches, the pressure is increasing on Enzo Maresca and his players. Their inability to prevent opposition attacks from developing into dangerous opportunities remains a major concern.

The defeat also represents a setback to their title ambitions, with Arsenal maintaining their position at the top of the standings and City losing further ground.

For now, Forest can celebrate an important victory in front of their supporters, while Manchester City must find a way to stop their worrying run of results.

The City Ground witnessed an evening to remember for the home supporters, with Delap’s brace ensuring that Nottingham Forest walked away with a deserved 3-1 win.