Liam Delap scored twice as Nottingham Forest secured a 3-1 victory over Manchester City, handing the visitors a third consecutive Premier League defeat and strengthening Arsenal's position in the title race.
Delap struck in each half after Jair Cunha had given Forest an early lead. The result was Forest's first home win of the season and their first league victory at the City Ground since April, moving Manchester United into the bottom three.
Forest's Fast Start
Forest took the lead inside six minutes when centre-back Jair robbed Josko Gvardiol high up the pitch, advanced into the area and slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The drought in front of their own fans, dating back to last May, was ended by that unlikely source.
Delap doubled the lead in the 19th minute, capitalising on a mix-up between Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye in the Forest half. He ran into the City area and fired an unstoppable shot past Donnarumma. James McAtee almost made it three soon after, but he skied an effort from 16 yards.
City should have pulled one back in the 25th minute when Marc Guehi's cross found Enzo Fernandez, who could not keep his header down from six yards. Erling Haaland was denied by Jair's defending in the 40th minute after rounding goalkeeper Matz Sels, only to see his shot cleared off the line.
City's Brief Comeback
City did get one back in the 52nd minute through Rayan Cherki. Jeremy Doku's cross was deflected into the path of the France international, who slammed a half-volley into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Haaland came close to levelling when his curled effort from 12 yards went just over. Forest weathered the storm and could have regained their two-goal advantage when Ryan Yates' shot cannoned off Anderson and looped onto the top of the crossbar.
Delap Seals the Win
Forest made it 3-1 in the 73rd minute with a breakaway goal. Delap set Morgan Gibbs-White free in their own half, and after racing the length of the pitch, Gibbs-White returned the ball to the striker, who sent an emphatic finish crashing in off the post.
The win ended a five-game winless run for Forest, who had managed just one win from their opening nine games under new boss Oliver Glasner. Delap, who had scored once in his opening eight games following his club-record move from Chelsea, proved decisive. City's loss came amid the ongoing appeal against Premier League charges, with their season showing signs of falling apart.
