NOTTINGHAM — Coventry City ended a 25-year wait for a Premier League victory with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, as Jay Dasilva's 55th-minute winner secured the promoted side's first top-flight goal and win of the season amid late VAR controversy.
Frank Lampard's visitors needed a late intervention to hold on after Forest substitute Igor Jesus saw an 86th-minute equaliser ruled out. Referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the pitchside monitor and adjudged Jesus had fouled Caleb Yirenkyi before finishing from close range inside the area. It was the second goal Forest have had disallowed at home this season after Neco Williams had a goal chalked off in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham.
Forest had 14 attempts in the first half but were undone 10 minutes after the restart when goalkeeper Carl Rushworth's pinpoint long ball found Dasilva, who took a superb touch to beat Daniel Munoz before firing coolly beyond Matz Sels. The strike was Dasilva's first goal in 127 Coventry appearances and ended the Sky Blues' pointless and goalless start to the season. Coventry also needed a superb 76th-minute goalline clearance from Bobby Thomas, who hooked away Jesus' chipped effort, to preserve the lead. The first half produced 20 shots, the most attempts in the first half of a Premier League game with no goals since Brentford vs Liverpool (24) in January 2025.
The result moves Coventry off the foot of the table and inside the relegation zone on goal difference, while Forest sit 12th. Forest's defeat means Oliver Glasner's side are yet to score or win at home in any competition this season.