1 Man City winner and 4 losers who have plenty to answer for vs Nottingham Forest

A brilliant start to the 2026/27 season has changed a bit for Manchester City over the last couple of weeks. The club wasn't going to go undefeated in the Premier League, of course, but two straight losses in league play before facing Nottingham Forest on Saturday were certainly no fun.

Losing to a struggling Forest 3-1, though, was exceedingly awful. The loss left City with more questions than answers, and two weeks off to ponder what comes next.

The season has just begun, but the ride has already turned bumpy. The club has been found guilty of financial fair play charges, and while that is currently being appealed, City has begun to struggle on the pitch. A loss to Nottingham Forest will not help the mood.

Needing any good news at the beginning of the second half, City got a bit from Cherki. He took the ball on a half-bounce and somehow got power on his kick into the net. It was an extraordinary goal, one few players can make.

What an embarrassing start to the match: Gvardiol was dispossessed of the ball early on his own end and then fell down as if someone had pushed him. He allowed a free run toward goal, and Forest somehow converted. Their first goal in seven real hours of match time at home.

City trailing 1-0 within seven minutes had to be a laugh for the rest of the Premier League, and a sign of what would be to come.

The manager should certainly get credit for preparing his club for a red-hot start to the season, but his ability to change and adapt as the season grows old is what will define him as a good manager or a great one. He faced his first real challenges in the past couple of weeks, and the club hasn't rebounded quickly. Would the same situation have unfolded under Pep Guardiola? Likely not.

Maresca being listed as a loser here is why Haaland is. Other clubs are adjusting to Manchester City's approach, and that means fewer touches for Haaland. Still, getting five in the first half against Forest is inexcusable. He was nothing but a somewhat free runner at times, but invisible for much of the match.

Not every goal allowed was the keeper's fault, of course, but the second one went straight through him. It was not the kind of goal one of the best keepers in the world should allow. His ongoing struggles continued against Forest, and he has not indicated that he would suddenly return to form after the international break.

Nottingham Forest hadn't scored at home all season, but got three goals against Donnarumma and Manchester City. Forest fans and the rest of the Premier League will celebrate. City and their fans will be left to pick up the pieces of what was once a promising campaign before a future that could be pretty bleak.