Enzo Maresca left the City Ground on Saturday night to the chant “can we play you every week?” echoing around him – and the Italian’s dream debut for Manchester City is swiftly turning into a nightmare.
Amid roaring Trent-side fans, Forest delivered a thrilling display while City slipped to a third straight league defeat.
The back line kept leaking, gifting Josko Gvardiol’s wayward pass that let Jair Cunha score in the sixth minute, leaving City on the back foot.
With Arsenal beating Hull and keeping a clean sheet, City head into the international break six points off the leaders after a 3-1 loss.
Maresca admitted: “We failed to match Forest’s intensity in the first half, we lost duels and second balls. Intensity is essential in these games.”
“We tried to respond at 2‑0 but it was too late. We scored once, could have added more, then conceded in transition. No panic, just clarity needed.”
When asked why the intensity lagged, Maresca said: “I need to analyse that.”
The outlook looks grim for City, but history may offer a glimmer.
If Brighton lose to Brentford on Sunday, Arsenal would join a tiny club group with a six‑point lead after ten games; only two teams have been that far behind and still clinched the title.
One was Manchester United in 2002‑03, the other was City themselves in 2013‑14 under Pellegrini.
Brighton, led by Fabian Hurzeler, could jump to second place and sit five points behind Arsenal with a win over Brentford.
Another cloud hangs over City’s season.
The club has appealed a ruling that found them guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations.
The appeal is ongoing and potential sanctions remain unknown.
Even if any penalty spares this season, each match further narrows their title chances.
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With hands in his pockets and head bowed, a despondent Maresca paced the touchline as the game wound down.
In my view, the week’s performances will force the boss to decide who he can truly trust.
After seven opening wins, City now grapple with defeats to Aston Villa, Brighton and a fired‑up Forest.
Defensive lapses cost them dearly again, and Liam Delap capitalised with a brace.
Gvardiol erred for the first, Ndiaye and Anderson tangled for the second, while Nunes missed the third challenge.
“Before the game everyone talked about individual mistakes,” former Forest winger Steve Stone told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Aside from the first goal, it’s the line that’s disjointed.”
“Full‑backs were way too wide. A quick ball and a first‑time pass can thread you straight through. They were exposed today.”
“Glasner’s side has exploited those gaps every time.”
Anderson’s return to the City Ground has been miserable since his £116 m summer move, and his partnership with Enzo Fernández looks stalled.
The Argentine missed a close‑range header and spent much of the match urging referee Sam Barrott – fans expect more from the record signing.
He did score in the midweek Champions League win at Leipzig, but that remains his sole goal or assist in nine games.
Maresca must figure out how to unlock Fernández’s potential during the break.
Stone added: “I came here expecting a win, thought City had chances. This is a real hammer blow; something’s off with the back four now.”
“I’ve never seen City give the ball away so much in midfield.”
Rayan Cherki’s stunning strike sparked hope, yet City couldn’t recover, and the stats tell a bleak story:
City have lost three straight league games for the first time since a four‑match run in November‑December 2024.
They join Sheffield Wednesday (1904‑05) as the only side to win their first seven games then drop the next three.
This marks their first league loss by two or more goals to a team that started the day in the relegation zone since Bolton’s 2‑0 win in November 2008.
Maresca was forced to reshuffle his defence at half‑time, pulling out both Gvardiol and Marc Guehi due to injuries.
Nunes shifted to right‑back, Khusanov moved inside, and Nico O’Reilly dropped to the left.
“Making so many mistakes against a side fighting for survival, knowing they’ll come after you, is unacceptable.”
“They were sloppy, lost duels, and I’d even say there was a hint of arrogance early on.”
“Big questions now surround the manager on how to get them back on track. With this talent, it shouldn’t be a huge problem.”
“Defensively, sticking with a settled back line for a while might be the answer.”