Coventry 1-0 Nottingham Forest: VAR Denies Late Equaliser

Coventry end 25-year wait with controversial win at Forest

Coventry secured their first Premier League victory in 25 years with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Jay Dasilva scored the only goal in the 55th minute, but the match ended in controversy as Forest had an 86th-minute equaliser disallowed by VAR.

Competition: Premier League
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
Result: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Coventry
Goals: Jay Dasilva 55' (Coventry)
Disallowed goal: Igor Jesus 86' (Forest) – foul in build-up
Attendance: Not stated

What happened

Coventry, managed by Frank Lampard, ended a 25-year wait for a Premier League win thanks to Jay Dasilva's composed finish. The goal came ten minutes after half-time when goalkeeper Carl Rushworth launched a pinpoint long ball forward. Dasilva took a superb touch to beat Daniel Munoz before firing coolly beyond Matz Sels. It was Dasilva's first goal in 127 Coventry appearances.

Forest thought they had equalised in the 86th minute when substitute Igor Jesus pounced after Caleb Yirenkyi failed to clear. However, referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the pitchside monitor and adjudged Jesus had fouled Yirenkyi before finishing from close range. The goal was disallowed, sparking controversy at the City Ground.

The visitors also needed a superb 76th-minute goalline clearance from Bobby Thomas to deny Jesus an equaliser. Thomas hooked away Jesus' chipped effort off the line to preserve Coventry's lead.

Forest had dominated the first half, registering 14 attempts, but could not find a breakthrough. The first half saw 20 shots in total – the most attempts in the first half of a Premier League game with no goals since Brentford vs Liverpool (24) in January 2025. Coventry's victory moves them off the foot of the table and inside the relegation zone on goal difference, while Forest sit 12th.

The key moments

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! Neco 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 spot that Jesus had made contact on the Coventry midfielder before scoring and the goal is disallowed.

The numbers

First-half attempts: 20 shots (most in a first half without a goal since Brentford vs Liverpool, January 2025)
Forest first-half attempts: 14
Dasilva's goal: His first in 127 Coventry appearances
Disallowed goals: Forest have now had two home goals disallowed this season (Neco Williams vs Tottenham)

Why Coventry finally won

Frank Lampard set his Coventry side up to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. The decisive moment came from goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, whose long ball bypassed Forest's midfield and found Jay Dasilva. Dasilva's touch and finish were clinical, and it proved enough.

Defensively, Coventry were resilient. Bobby Thomas' goalline clearance was as important as the goal, and the backline held firm despite Forest's 14 first-half attempts. The VAR decision went their way, but they earned the slice of luck.

Forest, managed by Oliver Glasner, are yet to score or win at home in any competition this season. Their dominance in the first half counted for nothing, and the disallowed goal will only add to their frustration. They must find a way to convert chances if they are to climb the table.

Talking points

Should Igor Jesus' goal have stood? The contact on Caleb Yirenkyi was minimal, and Forest fans will feel hard done by.
Coventry's first win in 25 years is a landmark moment, but can they build on it and avoid relegation?
Forest's home woes continue – zero goals and zero wins at the City Ground this season is a major concern for Oliver Glasner.
Jay Dasilva's first goal in 127 appearances came at the perfect time, but was it a lucky win for Coventry?

What happens next

Coventry will look to carry momentum into their next fixture, while Nottingham Forest must address their home form quickly. The defeat leaves Forest 12th, and they will be desperate to secure their first home win of the season in their next match at the City Ground. Coventry, now off the bottom, face a crucial run of games as they aim to climb out of the relegation zone.