Forest beat City 3-1 to exit relegation zone; Maresca criticizes performance

Maresca labels first-half performance not good enough

Maresca said the side did not match Forest's intensity and failed to win duels or second balls.

Manager Glasner also said the first half was "not good enough" while explaining why City conceded 2 goals and describing the errors that led to the 3rd.

Match progression and scoring details

Jair Cunha opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a left-footed shot following a mistake by Josko Gvardiol. Xaver Schlager assisted Liam Delap for the second goal 12 minutes after the opener. Nottingham Forest led 2-0 at half-time, a lead observed by owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Rayan Cherki scored the only goal for Manchester City early in the second half with a powerful shot. Morgan Gibbs-White provided the assist for the third goal from Delap, which was struck into the top corner. Liam Delap scored both goals for Nottingham Forest in the match.

Personnel changes and tactical selection

Nottingham Forest included Ndiaye in the starting lineup, while Manchester City started without Phil Foden. James McAtee played in an advanced role alongside Ryan Yates, who made his first start of the season for Forest.

Enzo Fernandez missed a header from a cross by Marc Guehi. Erling Haaland saw a shot cleared by Cunha. Sky Sports reported that Manchester City played in a sloppy manner and allowed Delap to double the Forest lead in the first half.

Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol were substituted at half-time following a poor first half, as both players asked to come off due to knocks. Manchester City made only two substitutions during the match.

Statistical breakdown of the encounter

Nottingham Forest ran six kilometers more than Manchester City during the match. Liam Delap earned player of the match honors for his performance.

Manchester City previously won seven consecutive league matches to start the season under Enzo Maresca. The club became the first top-flight side in 122 years to win their opening seven league matches and lose the following three. On November 6, 2026, Maresca noted fitness concerns regarding Nico O'Reilly following the player's exclusion from the England squad.

League standings and impact on title race

Manchester City remains six points behind Arsenal following the result. The victory moved Nottingham Forest out of the relegation zone.

Glasner hails turning point for Forest

Nottingham Forest had been goalless and winless at home this season prior to this match. Oliver Glasner described the win as a turning point for his team following recent frustrations.

Glasner praised Ryan Yates for delivering an inspirational pre-match team talk. "I had to run more than Enzo Maresca as well and I did my job," Glasner said, joking about his touchline celebration.