England: Manchester City loses again, away to struggling Nottingham Forest (3-1)

Manchester City, still hampered by their defense, suffered a third consecutive defeat in the Premier League on Saturday at struggling Nottingham Forest (3-1), a bad run that benefits league leaders Arsenal.

After ten matchdays, Manchester United (2nd, 21 pts) are now six points behind the current English champions (1st, 27 pts). And they are under direct threat from Brighton (3rd, 19 pts), the final team in the top three, who host Brentford on Sunday.

Enzo Maresca's team had made a perfect start to their season, with seven wins in the first seven games, but now they are burdened by a third consecutive defeat, after those against Aston Villa and Brighton.

Nottingham Forest were in the relegation zone at kick-off and had yet to score a goal for their home fans. The Reds provided a double dose in the first twenty minutes through Jair Cunha (6th minute) and Liam Delap (18th minute).

The Brazilian defender, with his pressing and physicality, stole the ball from Josko Gvardiol and then unleashed a shot between the two center-backs, Marc Guéhi and Ruben Dias. The English striker, meanwhile, started from the center circle and fired a rocket into Gianluigi Donnarumma's net.

French striker Rayan Cherki also scored a gem, whipping the ball into the box after a clearance from the defense (51st minute, 2-1), his fifth goal in nine league appearances.

But City's defense is far too porous. On a counter-attack, and with the help of Morgan Gibbs-White, Delap scored his second goal with a powerful left-footed strike (73rd minute, 3-1).

Coach Oliver Glasner, who was in great difficulty before the match, sprinted towards his striker and teammates to join in the celebratory scene.

Forest's victory (16th, 9 pts) has the effect of precipitating Manchester United (18th, 7 pts) into the relegation zone, pending the Red Devils' match on Sunday against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.