Manchester City suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat on Saturday, losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest, but manager Enzo Maresca insisted there was no reason to panic.
City had started the campaign with seven consecutive victories but their latest defeat left them six points behind league leaders Arsenal, who beat Hull 1-0.
“We are conceding too many goals unfortunately and we need to improve that,” Maresca told the BBC.
“Use the international break to understand why and try to avoid in the future. Always concerned but we need balance — seven wins in a row then three (defeats) in a row. Need the balance. No panic. We need to understand but no panic.”
Liam Delap, a product of City’s academy, scored twice for Forest, who had yet to find the net at home this season before Saturday’s match.
It was only Forest’s second league victory of the season, lifting them two points clear of the relegation zone. Manchester United moved into the bottom three ahead of Sunday’s match against Aston Villa.
Forest capitalise on City’s defensive errors
Forest made a dream start when Jair Cunha dispossessed City defender Josko Gvardiol and surged forward before finding space to slot the ball into the bottom left corner in the sixth minute.
City’s defensive problems continued in the 18th minute when another loss of possession allowed Delap to sprint from inside his own half, race between two defenders and fire into the net to double Forest’s lead.
City pulled one back early in the second half. Jeremy Doku collected a long ball on the left flank before delivering a cross that was deflected into the path of Rayan Cherki, who struck the ball into the top left corner.
The visitors pushed hard for an equaliser, but Forest restored their two-goal advantage in the 74th minute.
Delap completed a swift counterattack with a fine shot that went in off the inside of the far post.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner ran almost half the length of the pitch to celebrate with his players.
“One of my best running stats, I guess,” Glasner told the BBC.
“I will be fatigued tomorrow but I can be because it’s the international break so I can have a rest!”
Arsenal secure narrow victory over Hull
Earlier, Arsenal appeared set for a frustrating afternoon against a well-organised Hull side, with the league leaders struggling to find a breakthrough.
However, captain Martin Ødegaard settled the contest in the 72nd minute.
Noni Madueke cut inside from the right wing and goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis managed to parry his effort, but the ball fell into Ødegaard’s path for the Arsenal captain to finish from close range.
Leeds beat Tottenham amid controversy
Substitute Noah Okafor scored just 97 seconds after coming on to secure Leeds a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in a match overshadowed by controversy.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed on a throw-in before Harry Wilson directed the ball into Okafor’s path, allowing the substitute to score in the 79th minute.
The victory was Leeds’ first in almost two months and lifted them to eighth place, two points above Tottenham.
Spurs had been seeking a fourth consecutive win after failing to register a victory in their opening six matches.
However, Tottenham felt Leeds should have been reduced to 10 men following a challenge by Jayden Bogle on Mathys Tel in the 34th minute.
Although the challenge was not considered malicious, Bogle’s late tackle saw his studs catch Tel’s trailing ankle, leaving the Tottenham forward in considerable pain.
A lengthy VAR review for a possible red card ended with no further action being taken. Tel attempted to continue but was substituted a few minutes later.
Elsewhere, Newcastle drew 1-1 away to Fulham.
Macclesfield’s FA Cup run ends
Macclesfield will not repeat last season’s FA Cup heroics after losing 3-0 away to Mansfield in the first round.
The non-league side produced the biggest upset in the competition’s history last season when they knocked out defending champions Crystal Palace.
