Liam Delap’s double against his old club and a Jair Cunha strike gave Forest their first home league win of the season, while Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was not in the matchday squad.
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Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was absent from Nottingham Forest’s matchday squad as the Tricky Trees beat Manchester City 3-1 at the City Ground on Saturday, November 7.
Aina has made six Premier League appearances this season and picked up three yellow cards. He is also in Eric Chelle’s squad for Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania next week, so supporters will be watching for any news on his fitness.
Forest were on top from the start. Jair Cunha dispossessed City defender Joško Gvardiol deep in his own half in the sixth minute, drove forward and finished into the bottom left corner.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 18th minute. Liam Delap, who came through City’s academy, won a loose ball inside his own half, sprinted past two defenders and drove his shot past the goalkeeper.
City pulled one back early in the second half. Jeremy Doku chased a long ball down the left, his cross took a deflection, and Rayan Cherki met it with a left-footed half-volley into the top corner in the 52nd minute.
Forest put the game beyond doubt in the 73rd minute. Delap finished another counter attack with a strike that clipped the inside of the far post on its way in, and Morgan Gibbs-White is credited with the assist in some reports. Fans who follow Nigerian players in England can check the YOHAIG Bet9ja starter pack before the next round of games.
It was Forest’s first home league win of the season and their first at the City Ground since April. The result lifted them to 16th on nine points, out of the relegation zone, and eased the pressure on head coach Oliver Glasner.
For City, it was a third successive league defeat under Enzo Maresca. Arsenal stay top of the table on 27 points, and the champions in waiting will be happy to see their rivals slip up.
Aina And The Super Eagles
Chelle named Aina among the defenders for the Tanzania double-header, and he is one of several Premier League players in the squad. Hull’s Semi Ajayi also suffered a knock in the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal earlier on Saturday, so the Super Eagles’ defensive options are under a little pressure.
Readers who want to follow the squad can read about Bet9ja’s offer for English football followers as the first leg in Uyo on Friday, November 13, approaches.
What It Means
Forest had struggled for goals at home, and the quick start showed what the team can do when it plays on the counter-attack. Cunha and Delap were sharp on the break, and City looked vulnerable every time they lost the ball.
Delap also made a point against his former club, which will give the striker plenty of confidence. For City, three straight defeats have turned the title race into a question about their defence and their form.
Aina will hope to be back in the squad soon, particularly with the Super Eagles waiting. Fans who like to forecast results can try the Super9ja Premier League game alongside the weekend’s fixtures.
📌 Did You Know?
- Liam Delap, who scored twice, came through Manchester City’s academy before joining Forest.
- Saturday’s win was Forest’s first home league victory of the season and their first at the City Ground since April.
- Manchester City have now lost three Premier League games in a row under Enzo Maresca.
- Rayan Cherki’s goal for City was a left-footed half-volley after a deflected cross from Jeremy Doku.
- Arsenal lead the Premier League on 27 points after matchday 10.
