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Maresca’s dream start turns into nightmare as title hopes hit
Manchester City’s title defence suffered a further setback as they lost 3-1 away to Nottingham Forest, making it three consecutive Premier League defeats under new manager Enzo Maresca. Forest’s energetic performance and City’s defensive mistakes helped leave City six points behind Arsenal, raising fresh doubts about their title hopes.
Jair Cunha scored in the sixth minute after a Josko Gvardiol error, and former City striker Liam Delap added two goals as Forest capitalised on gaps at the back. Maresca said his players had failed to match Forest’s intensity, but urged against panic. Only two teams have recovered from as far behind as City after 10 games to win the title; one was City themselves in 2013-14. The club’s appeal over a finding that it broke Premier League financial rules is also ongoing, with possible sanctions unknown.
In short
- Forest beat City 3-1.
- City have lost three league games in a row.
- Arsenal are six points ahead.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
City’s three straight defeats and six-point gap suggest their title defence is in serious danger, especially given how few teams have recovered from a comparable position. Defensive errors and a failure to match Forest’s intensity point to problems that may not be quickly fixed, while the unresolved financial case adds uncertainty around the club.
The case against
Ten games leave substantial time for a recovery, and City have previously overcome a similar deficit to win the title. Maresca has urged calm after a difficult run, and one defeat shaped by individual mistakes and Forest’s strong performance need not define the season; the financial case remains unresolved, so its outcome should not be assumed.