Nottingham Forest 1-2 Bristol City: Daniel Bentley stars in Robins win
- Published
Goalkeeper Daniel Bentley produced a man-of-the-match display to help Bristol City to victory
Bristol City increased the pressure on Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi with a victory at the City Ground that extended their own perfect start to the Championship season.
The Robins were 2-0 up inside 22 minutes, with Andreas Weimann's placed finish and Nahki Wells' half-volley putting them on course for a fourth win from four matches.
Luke Freeman then halved the deficit with a brilliant 25-yard strike against his former club before the break - and from that stage on only City goalkeeper Daniel Bentley stood between Forest and their first league point of the campaign.
The ex-Brentford man was in inspired form as he produced a string of fine saves to preserve Bristol City's 100% record.
Having already tipped a third-minute Alex Mighten header against the bar, Jack Colback and Lyle Taylor were both thwarted by the 27-year-old from point-blank range.
Arguably his best save came from Cyrus Christie's long-range shot, which appeared destined for the top corner before Bentley somehow diverted it over with a one-handed stop.
In all, the hosts mustered 21 attempts on goal - 13 of which came during a one-sided second half - but the defeat leaves them 22nd in the table.
Forest's poor start to the 2020-21 season follows a disastrous conclusion to the previous campaign, which saw them pipped to a play-off place on the final day by Swansea City.
Lamouchi's side have not won in 10 Championship matches - losing each of the past six - a run that dates back to 1 July when they beat Bristol City 1-0.
By contrast, Dean Holden sees his side sit top of the table on goals scored, with Reading the only other second-tier team boasting a perfect start.
Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi:
"Yes, there were positive signs today - but not enough. Because the result is negative one more time. It is one more day, one more game, one more bad result, with the same mistakes.
"After the second [Bristol City] goal we started to play. We got back in the game and the second half was the opposite. I don't know why we play only when we need a reaction and not from minute one.
"We need to wake up. We need to take responsibility. Of course, the manager has more responsibility than anyone. The second half was much better, so we just need to click; we need to get out of this very bad situation."
Bristol City boss Dean Holden told BBC Radio Bristol:
"We got two very good goals again, then we switched off a little bit and the momentum of the game changed. At 2-1 we knew what they would throw at us in the second half so we had to stand up to it and we did, to be fair.
"Four wins from four is a tough ask in any division and the players are giving everything. Dan Bentley was incredible in the second half, some of the saves he made were big saves.
"Every single thing Forest threw at us, we managed to get ourselves in the way, and I'm really pleased it happened like that because in any successful season there's going to be times like that."