Coventry delight in Jay Dasilva winner but ruled-out goal riles Nottingham Forest
Coventry have their first goal and with it a 1-0 win but only after VAR intervened when Igor Jesus thought he had a late Nottingham Forest equaliser
No, but seriously. Maybe Frank Lampard and Coventry can stay in the Premier League. The club's first top-division win since April 2001 was celebrated with great joy. The victory showed how to unsettle opponents who can lose confidence. Jay Dasilva's excellent goal came after a strong defensive performance that Coventry must repeat every week. Coventry fought hard throughout and stopped Nottingham Forest from creating many chances. However, Coventry could thank a late video assistant referee decision that angered the City Ground crowd.
Lampard said, smiling widely: “I feel great, I feel amazing.” Then, as he usually does, he turned back to serious matters. “The truth in football is you have to fight for it, you have to work for it, you have to be well organised.”
Related: Everton beat Ipswich thanks to a goal from Thierno Barry, despite controversy over a VAR decision
Coventry's difficult start to the season had brought back doubts about his ability to manage in the Premier League. It reminded people of a quarter century of poor results. Whatever happens next, the fans, sitting under the fading evening sun, were determined to enjoy themselves. Even if this good spell lasts only one season, they felt it was worth enjoying now. "Something we have to build on and not get too carried away," said Bobby Thomas, who was a key part of that defensive effort.
“We are a team with many players who are playing in the Premier League for the first time,” said Lampard. “Not everyone is a Wayne Rooney or a superstar who can just take control of a game.”
Forest’s home league record in 2026 continues to be wretched: only Burnley, in April, have left in defeat. The previous week’s victory at Aston Villa offered further confirmation of Morgan Gibbs-White’s importance to Forest, as if it were needed. He remains ignored by Thomas Tuchel despite verifiable claims of being the most in-form English No 10 around, only Pascal Gross creating more chances in the Premier League this season, though like his team as a whole, Gibbs-White is doing his best work away from West Bridgford. Forest hit 26 shots on Coventry’s goal, just three on target.
“We struggled with scoring,” was Oliver Glasner’s simple diagnosis. “Today was the first time I could feel the heaviness of the past, it was very quiet in the dressing room. When we conceded the goal, everyone was nervous, the entire ground was nervous and I think the reason is last year.”
Early on, Gibbs-White set up a skillful header for Liam Delap and a clever flick for James McAtee. This suggested he was playing well. But Forest could not build enough momentum to break through Coventry's defense. McAtee has never fully settled into one position, but playing in a deeper role alongside Gibbs-White has suited him. This week, though, the two players worked together much less smoothly than the week before. Delap showed some of the promise he displayed at Ipswich, but he also got lost in crowded areas of the pitch. As a result, Forest were left with weak attempts on goal, including a quick shot from Delap that went wide.
Coventry got their first Premier League win of the season. It was also their 100th win in this competition, and their first since April 2001 (1-0 against Sunderland).
Jay Dasilva scored Coventry’s first Premier League goal of the season. Carl Rushworth set up the goal. This is only the second time a team’s first goal of a season has been assisted by a goalkeeper. The first time was Peter Schmeichel for Manchester United in the 1992-93 season.
Nottingham Forest failed to score in their first three home league games of a season for the first time in the club’s history. Opta
When Coventry restarted play at the start of the second half, their players lined up in a formation similar to one used for a rugby union dropout. This move did not achieve much, but it hinted at the long-ball tactics that would soon end their 25-year wait for a win.
Loum Tchaouna came on at half-time. He cut inside and shot, but the shot was too weak to beat goalkeeper Matz Sels. Even so, this may have been a warning sign for Forest. Moments later, Dasilva showed great strength for someone so small. He also showed a lovely first touch to get past Daniel Muñoz. He then blasted in a diagonal pass from his goalkeeper, Carl Rushworth. The finish was excellent, and the celebrations were loud. Coventry's last player to score in the Premier League before this had been Mustapha Hadji, in a loss at Aston Villa that confirmed Coventry's relegation.
For an increasingly ragged Forest, Chris Wood, old reliable, was thrown on, as was Igor Jesus, with Delap pushed to the wings. If anything, that led to Forest losing their shape and poise further, even if chances came. Thomas dashed back to the goalline to clear a chip from Igor Jesus that had Rushworth beaten.
Igor Jesus did get the ball in the net, only for the video assistant referee to advise Jarred Gillett that Caleb Yirenkyi had been fouled, and the on-pitch official agreed. It looked harsh: Yirenkyi had fallen readily under minimal contact. “I was worried,” Lampard said.
Glasner shrugged and said: “The referee decided and we accept it, that’s it.” Forest fans have had enough of video-assisted officiating. Their intense, angry frustration was very different from the mood of Coventry fans, who are now able to enjoy their Premier League journey.
