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Nottingham Forest 0-1 Coventry: Jay Dasilva's winner gives Sky Blues first Premier League win in 25 years

Report and free match highlights as Coventry earn first Premier League win of season with 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest; Jay Dasilva's second-half winner ends Sky Blues' 25-year wait for top-flight goal and win; Forest saw Igor Jesus' late equaliser controversially disallowed by VAR

· 871 words· 2 takes on this story· updated September 19, 2026 at 05:48 PM

Frank Lampard's side needed a late VAR intervention to end their long wait for victory after Forest substitute Igor Jesus saw an 86th-minute equaliser ruled out.

Referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the pitchside monitor, where he adjudged Jesus had fouled Caleb Yirenkyi before finishing from close range inside the area.

Questioned on the incident, Lampard told Sky Sports : "As you see on the replay, he has that little step on him which puts him off balance, and it's a foul...I think that's VAR reaching the right decision."

Latest news and rumours: Forest | Coventry

It was the second goal Forest have had disallowed at home by VAR this season after Neco Williams had a goal chalked off in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham.

The latest controversial call meant Dasilva's 55th-minute goal, assisted by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, ended the Sky Blues' pointless and goalless start to the season.

The visitors also needed a superb 76th-minute Bobby Thomas goalline clearance to deny Jesus an equaliser.

Forest's defeat means Oliver Glasner's side are yet to score or win at home in any competition this season, while they have won just once in the league at the City Ground since December last year.

Forest had 14 shots in the first half but were undone just 10 minutes after half-time as Rushworth's pinpoint long ball found Dasilva, who took a superb touch to beat Daniel Munoz before firing coolly beyond Matz Sels.

Dasilva's first goal in 127 Coventry appearances moves the Sky Blues off the foot of the table and inside the relegation zone only on goal difference, while Forest sit 12th.

Redknapp: Coventry showed they can do it in PL

"It's been a really hard start for them [Coventry], in terms of the teams they've had to play. But there were signs where they thought, 'we can compete at this level'.

"It was so important to get this win. I'm pleased for the players, the fans and obviously for Frank Lampard.

"They've done such a great job getting here, and now you want to make it count. You want to get rid of that inferiority complex. Can we handle the occasion and the Premier League? They showed that.

"They defended really well, looked dangerous on the break with some big performances."

Coventry boss Frank Lampard speaking at his post-match press conference:

"We have to keep our feet on the ground because it's one win, and we've felt how ruthless the league is already.

"We've had two of the toughest games on paper, probably in (Manchester) City and Arsenal, but it doesn't matter.

"The points still said zero after four games, and that hurts. So I think going into a break, yeah, for sure, for everyone to have a bit of rest, to feel good about it.

"You know that's the starting point, so they can use that.

"Every win is a relief, no matter what. I mean, especially in our position, because you sit at the bottom of the table, you want to win because you don't like to look at it.

"But even when you're top of the Championship last year, there's a version of a relief for the manager, anyway."

Glasner: Defeat is a result of 'heaviness from the past'

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner speaking at his post-match press conference:

"For me, being very honest, I felt for the first time the heaviness of the past. The players were very quiet before the game.

"I just saw and felt that everybody, let's say, with a red shirt, got nervous today, and I think this is, for me now, and I'm still in the process of understanding the players, understanding Forest, maybe the biggest part of what we have to get under control, not to feel this pressure.

"Today we felt, 'ah, we have to win it now'. We play a promoted team at home. We have to win.

"We have to win, and we all know then some things don't work, and that's how I analyse the game.

"So, for me, the biggest problem was not the football skill; it was more the mental side, and that's why it's pretty clear now players need support here."

1: FOREST SHOT ON TARGET! James McAtee hits a controlled, powerful volley which is straight at Rushworth.

16: COVENTRY SHOT ON TARGET! Lovely interplay between the Coventry forwards leads to Brandon Thomas-Asante having a low shot which is easily saved by Sels.

20: FOREST SHOT ON TARGET! Williams has a powerful drive from outside the box which is straight at Rushworth.

HALF-TIME: There were 20 shots in the first half - the most attempts in the first half of a Premier League game with no goals since Brentford vs Liverpool (24) in January 2025.

55: COVENTRY GOAL! The visitors score their first league goal of the season as Rushworth finds Dasilva, who takes one touch before producing a composed finish.

76: OFF THE LINE! Thomas superbly hooks away Jesus' chipped effort off the line.

86: FOREST SCORE BUT VAR DISALLOWS IT! Jesus pounces as Yirenkyi fails to clear, but VAR spots that Jesus had made contact on the Coventry midfielder before scoring and the goal is disallowed.

What the result means and next fixtures...

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