Nottingham Forest produced the shock of the season. The team that had not scored a single goal at home all season beat champions Manchester City 3-1 at the City Ground on Saturday, November 7, 2026, to climb out of the relegation zone and hand City a third straight Premier League defeat.
Liam Delap scored twice against his former club, Jair Cunha opened the scoring after just six minutes, and Oliver Glasner's side ran City ragged to end a wait of almost six months for a home league goal - and a home league win.
According to Sky Sports' match report, "Liam Delap scored two as Nottingham Forest ended their goal drought in style to beat Manchester City 3-1 at the City Ground." [Source: Sky Sports]
Watch Nottingham Forest 3-1 Manchester City - Highlights
Watch the highlights from Nottingham Forest's stunning 3-1 win over Manchester City at the City Ground - Cunha 6', Delap 18', 73', Cherki 52'.
Nottingham Forest 3-1 Man City - Match Summary
Forest came out flying. After weeks of frustration, of missed chances and no goals at home, Glasner's side knew only a fast start would do - and they played like it from the first whistle.
City arrived at the City Ground under pressure. Enzo Maresca's side had won their first seven league games of the season, but had then lost 2-1 at Aston Villa and 1-0 at home to Brighton. As reported by AP, City had "opened the campaign with seven consecutive victories" before this collapse. [Source: AP]
But the City Ground is different when it is loud. Forest had not scored at home in 511 minutes. They scored twice in 18 minutes against the champions.
Inside 6 minutes, Forest were ahead. Inside 18 minutes, the game was 2-0. City never recovered.
| Nottingham Forest 3-1 Man City | Premier League 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Stadium: City Ground, Nottingham | Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Goals: Cunha 6', Delap 18', 73' / Cherki 52' | Man of the Match: Liam Delap |
| Result: Forest 16th, out of relegation zone | City: 2nd, 6 points behind Arsenal |
Match Timeline - How Forest Stunned City in 18 Minutes
6' - GOAL! Forest 1-0 Man City - Jair Cunha
Forest's drought is over in style. As per Sky Sports: "Jair Cunha tracked Josko Gvardiol, dispossessed him and ran through to score with his left foot." The Brazilian centre-back robbed Gvardiol midway inside City's half, ran through alone and slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Forest's first home goal in 511 minutes. The City Ground erupted.
18' - GOAL! Forest 2-0 Man City - Liam Delap
Delap punishes his former club. As per Sky Sports: "Xaver Schlager beating former Forest man Elliot Anderson to the ball in midfield and sending the powerhouse Delap through to lash in just his second goal for the club." Delap ran from inside his own half, held off Marc Guehi, and smashed an unstoppable drive past Donnarumma.
41' - CLOSE! Haaland Denied
City almost get back in it. Erling Haaland rounds Matz Sels, but Jair Cunha - the goalscorer - clears his goal-bound shot off the line. That was City's best chance of the first half.
52' - GOAL! Forest 2-1 Man City - Rayan Cherki
City get hope. As per Sky Sports: "Rayan Cherki halved it early in the second half with a rocket of a shot." Jeremy Doku's deflected cross fell to Cherki, who smashed a half-volley into the top corner. City push for the equaliser.
67' - BAR! Yates Hits the Woodwork
Forest almost restore the two-goal lead. Captain Ryan Yates' shot loops off Anderson and hits the crossbar.
73' - GOAL! Forest 3-1 Man City - Liam Delap
Delap seals it on the break. As per Sky Sports: "Morgan Gibbs-White fed Delap on the break and his angled shot found the top corner of the net." Delap exchanges passes with Gibbs-White, curls his shot high into the corner, off the far post and in. Glasner sprints down the touchline to celebrate.
Full-Time: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Man City
A famous win. First home league win of the season. City's third straight defeat.
Tactical Analysis - Why Forest Were Too Much for City
1. The Press Killed City's Build-Up
Forest didn't sit back. They pressed Gvardiol, they pressed Anderson, they pressed every City player who tried to play out from the back. Both first-half goals came from winning the ball in midfield. As Maresca himself admitted after the game, the second and third goals City conceded in transition were "copy and paste."
2. Delap - The Perfect Striker for This Game
Delap was unplayable. He ran the channels, held the ball up, bullied Guehi, and finished both chances with power and precision. This was his first brace since his Ipswich days, and his first goals at the City Ground since his club-record £50m move from Chelsea. Against his former club, on the biggest stage - this was his breakthrough night.
Delap's power and finishing were also on show in Europe - but City had already felt his threat before. Forest's win here was the perfect response to City's dramatic late win in Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth: Dramatic Late Comeback Seals Three Points, where Guehi and Gvardiol scored late to steal all three points.
3. Forest Outran City
The statistics tell the story: Sky Sports reported that "Nottingham Forest ran six kilometres further than Manchester City in this game." That is not a small gap. That is desire, hunger, and a team fighting for its manager and its season.
4. City's Defensive Collapse
City have now conceded six goals in three straight defeats. Gvardiol's error for the first goal, Anderson losing the duel for the second, Guehi not getting tight enough - these are not City mistakes. The uncertainty around the club, and the pressure of chasing Arsenal, is clearly affecting them.
Player Ratings - Nottingham Forest vs Man City
| Player | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Delap | 9.5 / 10 | 2 goals, Man of the Match, breakthrough night |
| Jair Cunha | 9 / 10 | 1 goal, goal-line clearance, immense |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | 8.5 / 10 | Assist for Delap winner, drove the counter |
| Xaver Schlager | 8 / 10 | Won duel for 2nd goal, controlled midfield |
| Rayan Cherki | 7.5 / 10 | Stunning goal, City's only bright spark |
| Matz Sels | 8 / 10 | Big saves, commanded his box |
Premier League Standings - After Forest 3-1 City
This win changes the title race - and the relegation battle - completely.
As reported by AP: "The victory was only Forest's second of the campaign and lifted them two points clear of the relegation zone." [Source: AP]
Arsenal beat Hull City 1-0 earlier on Saturday, with Martin Odegaard scoring in the 72nd minute, to extend their lead at the top.
That means:
- 1st - Arsenal: 27 points from 10 games, 6 points clear
- 2nd - Man City: 21 points, 3 defeats in a row, first time since Nov-Dec 2024
- 16th - Nottingham Forest: 9 points, out of the bottom three, 2 points above relegation
- 18th - Man Utd: Pushed into the relegation zone by Forest's win
City are now the first top-flight team in 122 years to win their first seven and lose the next three. As Sky Sports noted: "They are the first top-flight team in 122 years to win their first seven and lose the next three."
Six points separate Arsenal from City. Two points separate Forest from the bottom three. This season is wide open at both ends.
What This Win Means for Forest
1. Drought Over: 511 minutes without a home goal. Eight-and-a-half hours of football. Almost six months without a home league win. All ended in one night, against the champions.
This was not Forest's first fightback of the season. They had already shown character in Europe and in the league - but nothing like this. City had arrived at the City Ground after a dramatic win in RB Leipzig 2-3 Manchester City: Erling Haaland Fires City to Dramatic Champions League Victory, where Haaland scored the winner in the 78th minute.
2. Glasner Saved: Pressure was mounting on Oliver Glasner after just one win in nine league games. This win eases that pressure instantly - and gives him a turning point to build on.
3. Delap Arrives: £50m is a lot of pressure for a young striker. Two goals against his former club, in front of the City Ground, is exactly how you answer it.
4. Confidence Before the Break: Going into the international break out of the relegation zone, with a famous win over City, is exactly what Forest needed.
What's Next?
Forest go into the international break in 16th place, two points clear of the relegation zone. When the Premier League returns, Forest visit Bournemouth on Saturday, November 21, while City host Fulham at the Etihad on the same day.
Before this defeat, City had suffered their first league loss of the season in Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester City: Nicolas Jackson Double Ends City's Perfect Start at Villa Park. This defeat at Forest confirms it is not a blip - it is a crisis.
City, meanwhile, will need to recover quickly. Three defeats in a row, six points behind Arsenal, and questions everywhere. Maresca has two weeks to fix it.
One thing is clear: the Premier League title race - and the relegation battle - are both wide open.
Read Also - More Premier League Analysis
FAQ - Nottingham Forest vs Man City
What was the score of Nottingham Forest vs Man City?
Nottingham Forest won 3-1 at the City Ground.
Who scored for Nottingham Forest?
Jair Cunha in the 6th minute and Liam Delap in the 18th and 73rd minutes.
Who scored for Man City?
Rayan Cherki in the 52nd minute.
Where are Forest in the Premier League after this win?
Forest are 16th on 9 points, two points clear of the relegation zone.
Where are Man City?
City are 2nd on 21 points, six points behind leaders Arsenal.
When is Forest's next match?
Forest visit Bournemouth on Saturday, November 21, after the international break. City host Fulham on the same day.
What happened to City's winning run?
City won their first seven league games, then lost three in a row - to Aston Villa, Brighton and Forest - for the first time since Nov-Dec 2024.
Sources & References
All facts, goals, timings and standings in this article were verified against the following trusted sources:
- 1. Sky Sports - Match Report: "Nottingham Forest 3-1 Man City: Liam Delap ends City Ground goal drought as City lose three on the bounce" - confirms 3-1 score, Cunha 6', Delap 18', 73', Cherki 52', Forest ran 6km more than City. Read full report on Sky Sports →
- 2. AP via Jamaica Gleaner - Match Report: "City suffer third straight loss, Arsenal open six-point lead" - confirms City won first seven, then lost three, Forest second win of campaign, Arsenal 6 points clear. Read full report →
- 3. Manchester City Official - Highlights: "Nottingham Forest 3-1 City: 8-minute highlights" - confirms Gvardiol dispossessed by Cunha, Schlager assist for Delap, Cherki half-volley, Gibbs-White assist for Delap winner. Read on ManCity.com →
- 4. Video Source - YouTube: "Highlights from Nottingham Forest's 3-1 Premier League victory over Manchester City" - full match highlights used for timeline and tactical analysis. Watch on YouTube →
- 5. Premier League Official Standings: Verified via Premier League table on November 7, 2026 - Arsenal 1st on 27 points, City 2nd on 21 points, Forest 16th on 9 points. Check Premier League standings →
Match played at City Ground, Nottingham on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Goals: Jair Cunha 6', Liam Delap 18', 73', Rayan Cherki 52'. Final score: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Manchester City. Article written by Global Sport Analysis based on the sources above.
What do you think? Is Man City's title race over? Will Forest stay up? Let us know in the comments below!
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