Liam Delap scored twice to hand Nottingham Forest a 3-1 victory over Manchester City at the City Ground, extending the visitors' losing run to three Premier League matches.
Delap, a product of City's academy, started and finished a counter-attack late in the game to seal the win after Jair Cunha had opened the scoring. His second goal, struck with his left foot, drew comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo as he celebrated in style.
Forest's Early Dominance
Forest were outstanding in the early stages, winning every even contest and outmuscling their opponents. Josko Gvardiol was culpable ahead of the opening goal, but Cunha's determination and drive were praised. Another surrender of possession preceded Forest's second, but Delap's run and finish were described as something to behold.
Oliver Glasner's game-plan was brutally effective in its simplicity. Every time a City player had the ball in the opposition half, he was confronted by a ferociously committed Forest man. The trio of Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye were given no peace, while Delap unsettled Marc Guehi and Ruben Dias.
City's Struggles Continue
City's aggression has disappeared, their snap has gone, and their desire has diminished, according to the report. Guehi's form has been alarmingly poor, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is in a spell where any decently-struck shot goes past him.
Cherki pulled one back with a fizzing shot into the top corner, but Forest dug deep, with captain Ryan Yates setting the standard with his work-rate. Delap was substituted late to a great ovation.
The performance comes amid uncertainty over potential sanctions following the independent commission's guilty verdicts, with the club's appeal pending.
