Nottingham Forest 3-1 Man City: Player Ratings and Analysis

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Manchester City: Maresca’s Side Suffer Another Painful Premier League Defeat

Manchester City have suffered another major setback in the Premier League after losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Enzo Maresca’s team arrived hoping to end a difficult run of results. Instead, they delivered another disappointing performance that exposed serious weaknesses in their defensive organisation and midfield structure.

Goals from Jair Cunha and former Manchester City striker Liam Delap gave Nottingham Forest a commanding advantage. Rayan Cherki briefly brought City back into the contest with a spectacular second-half finish, but Delap scored again to complete his brace and secure all three points for the hosts.

The result means Manchester City have now lost three consecutive Premier League matches after winning their opening seven fixtures.

It is an extraordinary collapse for a team that initially looked capable of controlling the title race under its new head coach.

City have also become the first English top-flight side since Sheffield Wednesday in the 1904/05 season to lose three consecutive league matches immediately after winning their opening seven.

For Maresca, the defeat creates another difficult period of reflection. His team must improve defensively, particularly with Arsenal looking increasingly dangerous in the title race.

Jair Cunha Punishes City’s Defensive Mistake

Manchester City’s afternoon started badly, with Nottingham Forest taking the lead after just six minutes.

Jair Cunha capitalised on City’s slow approach to possession, winning the ball in a dangerous area before advancing towards the penalty box.

The Brazilian showed excellent composure to guide his finish into the far corner, giving Gianluigi Donnarumma little opportunity to intervene.

It was a particularly frustrating goal for City because the warning signs had already been there.

Forest were aggressive in their pressing and looked comfortable attacking the spaces left by City’s positioning.

Jeremy Doku had an opportunity to respond shortly afterwards, but his effort failed to beat Nikola Milenkovic.

The visitors continued to struggle with Forest’s intensity, and the home side eventually found another opportunity to extend their advantage.

Former City academy striker Liam Delap produced a brilliant individual moment to make it 2-0.

The forward collected possession after a midfield misunderstanding involving Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye. He then drove from around the halfway line before unleashing a powerful right-footed finish into the top-left corner.

It was an outstanding goal, but City’s defensive organisation made the opportunity possible.

The visitors struggled to communicate in midfield, allowing Delap far too much space to attack.

Forest could have made the situation even worse before half-time, while City also created opportunities through Enzo Fernández and Erling Haaland.

However, the visitors entered the interval two goals behind.

Cherki Produces a Moment of Magic

Maresca needed a strong response from his players after the break.

The manager introduced Nico O’Reilly and Matheus Nunes, hoping to improve City’s defensive balance and bring more energy into the performance.

The changes helped City look more positive.

Seven minutes into the second half, Cherki produced one of the afternoon’s outstanding moments.

The French playmaker collected the ball around the edge of the penalty area and struck a spectacular half-volley into the top-left corner.

It was a wonderful finish that gave Matz Sels no realistic chance of making the save.

The goal brought City back into the match and briefly changed the atmosphere inside the City Ground.

Cherki was becoming increasingly influential, and Haaland nearly equalised five minutes later with an effort that narrowly missed the target.

For a moment, Manchester City appeared capable of completing a comeback.

However, Nottingham Forest remained dangerous whenever they found space to attack.

Their third goal eventually ended City’s hopes.

Delap Completes His Brace to End City’s Comeback Hopes

With City pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Forest found another opportunity to exploit the visitors’ defensive weaknesses.

Liam Delap began the move deep inside his own half before combining with Morgan Gibbs-White.

The former Manchester City striker continued his run into the attacking area and received the return pass from Gibbs-White.

He then took a couple of touches before firing a powerful left-footed shot towards goal.

The effort struck the far post before crossing the line, completing a superb individual performance.

Delap’s two goals were particularly painful for Manchester City because he previously developed at the club before moving elsewhere.

His performance also highlighted the importance of direct running and physical aggression against a City defence that struggled to deal with Forest’s attacking transitions.

The third goal effectively settled the contest.

Manchester City could not find another response, and the final whistle confirmed their third successive Premier League defeat.

Maresca now has plenty of work to do during the international break.

Manchester City Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Here is how Manchester City’s players performed at the City Ground.

Starting XI

Substitutes

Gvardiol’s Difficult Afternoon Raises Defensive Questions

One of the biggest disappointments was Josko Gvardiol.

The Croatian defender received the lowest rating among City’s starting players, with 4.5/10.

His decision-making in midfield was particularly costly. At a time when Forest were playing with confidence and attacking aggressively, Gvardiol was caught out of position.

Cunha took advantage and scored the opening goal.

Gvardiol’s performance raises questions about City’s defensive structure and the responsibilities given to their defenders when moving into midfield.

Maresca’s system requires players to be comfortable in different positions. However, those positional responsibilities must not leave the defence exposed.

Ruben Dias also had an afternoon to forget.

Although the Portuguese defender received 5.5/10, his performance lacked the authority expected from City’s defensive leader.

Khusanov also struggled to match Forest’s attacking intensity.

Marc Guehi received a slightly better 6/10, but his first-half difficulties against Delap meant Maresca decided to make a change at the interval.

These performances suggest that City’s problems cannot be solved by changing just one defender.

The entire defensive structure needs attention.

Cherki and Anderson Provide Some Positive Moments

Despite the disappointing result, there were a few individual performances worth recognising.

Cherki was arguably City’s most entertaining player.

His spectacular goal demonstrated the technical quality and creativity he brings to Maresca’s attacking system.

He struggled to get involved during the first half, but his influence increased after the interval.

His 7/10 rating reflected a performance that offered some encouragement despite the defeat.

Anderson also received 7/10, the joint-highest rating among City’s starting players.

His performance was not perfect, particularly because of the midfield misunderstanding that contributed to Delap’s first goal.

However, there were positive aspects to his display, especially considering his return to the City Ground.

Matheus Nunes also deserves recognition.

His introduction improved City’s options on the right side of defence, and his 6.5/10 rating reflected a more encouraging contribution than some of the players who started the match.

These individual performances provide Maresca with some positives to take into the next fixtures.

However, individual quality will not be enough if the collective performance continues to deteriorate.

What Must Maresca Fix Before Manchester City’s Next Match?

The biggest issue is City’s defensive organisation.

Against Forest, the visitors repeatedly struggled to deal with direct attacking movements and quick transitions.

Their midfield also failed to provide consistent protection for the defenders.

Maresca must find a better balance between possession and defensive security.

City cannot continue committing players forward without ensuring that enough protection remains behind the ball.

The manager should also reconsider how his defenders are positioned during the build-up.

Gvardiol’s mistake demonstrated the danger of losing possession in central areas when opponents are ready to attack.

Another concern is City’s lack of attacking efficiency.

Haaland had opportunities but could not convert them. Doku struggled against Forest’s double-marking, while Ndiaye found it difficult to influence the contest.

Cherki was one of the few players capable of producing something unexpected.

City need more players contributing consistently in the final third.

The international break offers Maresca an opportunity to review these problems and prepare a response.

Final Verdict: Manchester City Have Serious Problems to Address

Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest was another painful result in an increasingly worrying Premier League campaign.

Cherki delivered a moment of brilliance, Anderson showed some encouraging qualities and Nunes improved the right side after coming on.

However, those positives were overshadowed by defensive mistakes, poor midfield communication and an inability to control the match.

Gvardiol’s performance was particularly disappointing, while Dias and Khusanov also struggled.

Delap’s brace exposed City’s vulnerability against direct attacking play.

For Maresca, the challenge is now enormous.

He succeeded Guardiola in June 2026 with the responsibility of maintaining Manchester City’s high standards. His first seven league victories suggested that he was adapting quickly.

Three consecutive defeats have changed that narrative.

City must rediscover their defensive discipline, improve their decision-making and restore confidence throughout the squad.

The title race is becoming increasingly difficult, but there is still an opportunity to respond.

Maresca must ensure that the defeat at Nottingham Forest becomes a turning point rather than another step towards a disappointing season.

Manchester City need answers, and their next performances must provide them.