Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester City: Delap Haunts Former Club as City's Title Bid Crumbles

Liam Delap came back to haunt Manchester City in devastating fashion on Saturday, striking twice as Nottingham Forest claimed a statement victory at the City Ground. For anyone tracking the Premier League title race and weighing up the latest Premier League odds at Epicbet, this result sends a clear message: Manchester City's season is unravelling, and Forest are absolutely for real.

Delap Delivers the Dagger Against His Former Club

There is no sweeter script in football than a former player turning the knife, and Delap did exactly that. The striker, who left the Etihad without ever truly being trusted in Pep Guardiola's plans, bagged both of Forest's goals to leave City's defence looking rudderless. It was clinical, it was ruthless, and it was personal. Forest's Liam Delap is proving week after week that letting him go was one of City's most costly miscalculations in recent memory.

Cherki's Moment of Brilliance Not Enough

Rayan Cherki did his best to drag City back into the contest. His strike past Matz Sels was a thing of beauty: a fierce, precise finish that briefly gave the visitors hope of a comeback at 2-1. But that was as good as it got for City. The midfield couldn't sustain any real pressure, and the defence, anchored by Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, looked uncomfortable all afternoon. It wasn't a performance worthy of champions. It wasn't even close.

Forest's Backline Stands Tall

Matz Sels deserves enormous credit for his composure between the posts. Yes, he conceded to Cherki's thunderbolt, but the Belgian shot-stopper made several crucial interventions to protect the lead. In front of him, Jair Cunha was outstanding, contributing at both ends of the pitch with defensive solidity and purposeful forays forward. Nottingham Forest are building something legitimate under their current setup, and the defensive organisation is as much a part of that story as Delap's goals.

City's Title Hopes Taking Serious Damage

Let's not dance around it. Manchester City are in trouble. With Gianluigi Donnarumma unable to keep a clean sheet and the back line leaking chances, this is a squad that looks disconnected. Dias and Gvardiol both endured difficult afternoons, and there is a growing sense that the issues at the Etihad run deeper than one bad result. Every dropped point now is a gift to Arsenal, who are opening up a gap at the top of the 2026-27 Premier League table. Bettors and fans alike should be asking a serious question: can City still win this league?

What This Result Means for the Title Race

Arsenal will be watching this result with barely concealed delight. City's latest stumble allows the Gunners to further extend their advantage in the Premier League standings, and the momentum is all flowing one way. Forest, meanwhile, continue to climb. They are no longer a plucky surprise package; they are genuine top-half contenders with the firepower and defensive steel to trouble anyone.

For those following the twists and turns of the Premier League title race, this kind of result reshapes the betting landscape entirely. You can find the latest Premier League betting opportunities at Epicbet.