Delap Double Stuns Manchester City as Forest Hand Champions Third Straight Defeat

Nottingham Forest stunned Manchester City 3-1 at the City Ground on Saturday, handing the champions a third consecutive Premier League defeat and leaving them six points behind leaders Arsenal.

Forest were two goals up inside 20 minutes, with defender Jair Cunha heading home in the sixth minute before Liam Delap doubled the lead with a superb strike. Rayan Cherki pulled one back for City in the 52nd minute, but Delap struck again in the 73rd to seal a famous win.

City had won their first seven league games of the season, but defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton were followed by this humbling at Forest, who recorded their first home win of the season and climbed out of the relegation zone.

Maresca blames intensity

City coach Enzo Maresca pointed to a lack of intensity after his side gave the ball away cheaply for all three goals. Delap, who had scored just once in eight league games before Saturday, produced two sensational finishes to carry his side to victory.

Forest joy at the City Ground

Forest coach Oliver Glasner sprinted down the touchline to celebrate Delap’s second goal as the home crowd roared. The win lifts Forest to 16th on nine points, while the result also leaves Manchester United in the relegation zone heading into Sunday’s home game against Aston Villa.

Source: Reuters