Nottingham Forest 3-1 Manchester City: Report, result and goals as Delap double sinks former side

Liam Delap scored twice against his former club as Nottingham Forest stunned Manchester City with a 3-1 win at the City Ground, dealing another blow to the visitors’ Premier League title hopes.

Jair Cunha opened the scoring after just six minutes before Delap doubled Forest’s advantage in the 18th minute.

Rayan Cherki pulled a goal back for Enzo Maresca’s side, but Delap struck again to complete a memorable afternoon for Oliver Glasner’s team.

Forest punish City’s defensive mistakes

Forest made an outstanding start to the contest, pressing aggressively and causing problems for City’s defence from the opening exchanges.

The hosts had struggled for goals at the City Ground this season, but needed just six minutes to end that unwanted run.

Cunha dispossessed Josko Gvardiol high up the pitch before driving forward and firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Forest an early lead.

City appealed for a foul in the build-up, but referee Samuel Barrott allowed the goal to stand.

The visitors attempted to respond, with Jeremy Doku finding space inside the penalty area before seeing his effort blocked by Nikola Milenkovic.

However, Forest continued to look dangerous whenever they regained possession, with their aggressive pressing repeatedly disrupting City’s attempts to play out from the back.

Daniel Munoz created another opportunity when he advanced through midfield and found James McAtee, but the former City midfielder fired straight at Donnarumma.

Forest’s pressure paid off again in the 18th minute when another mistake from the visitors handed Delap an opportunity.

A mix-up involving Iliman Ndiaye and Elliot Anderson allowed Xaver Schlager to regain possession, with the ball breaking kindly for the Forest striker.

Delap raced clear before producing a composed finish past Donnarumma to double the hosts’ lead and leave City facing an uphill battle.

Cherki sparks City response before Delap seals win

City returned for the second half with greater urgency and quickly found a route back into the contest.

Cherki reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute, meeting the ball on the edge of the penalty area and producing a first-time finish to beat Matz Sels.

Erling Haaland had an opportunity to equalise but failed to convert, leaving the hosts clinging to their narrow advantage.

Morgan Gibbs-White was particularly influential, providing an attacking outlet and helping Forest turn defensive situations into dangerous counter-attacks.

The home side’s approach was rewarded in the 73rd minute when Delap struck again.

Forest regained possession and broke forward through Gibbs-White, with Delap collecting the ball and driving towards the City defence.

The striker powered forward before unleashing a fierce finish into the top corner, leaving Donnarumma beaten and restoring Forest’s two-goal cushion.

City continued to push forward in the closing stages, but Forest’s defence held firm, denying the visitors the space and opportunities they needed to mount another comeback.

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