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Frank Lampard celebrated his first Premier League victory as Coventry City manager as the newly promoted side secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka played from the start as Coventry ended a difficult opening to life back in the top flight, with Jay Dasilva’s second-half strike finally delivering their first points of the season.
The Sky Blues had lost their opening four league matches without scoring, conceding 10 goals in the process, but produced a disciplined display to claim a landmark victory on their return to the Premier League.
Lampard’s side finally find their breakthrough
Forest dominated possession during much of the opening half but struggled to create clear chances, with Coventry’s midfield, including Onyeka, helping the visitors remain compact.
Dan Ndoye and Liam Delap both came close for the hosts with efforts that drifted wide, while Carl Rushworth made an important save to deny Neco Williams.
Coventry then produced the moment they had been waiting for 10 minutes after the restart.
Rushworth’s long pass found Dasilva, who controlled the ball brilliantly before cutting inside Daniel Munoz and firing a composed finish beyond Matz Sels.
It was Coventry’s first Premier League goal since Mustapha Hadji scored against Aston Villa in May 2001, ending a wait of more than 25 years.
Coventry hold firm to secure historic win
Forest pushed for an equaliser but repeatedly found Coventry’s defence in their way.
Bobby Thomas made a crucial clearance off the line to prevent Igor Jesus from scoring, while Rushworth remained alert as the hosts increased the pressure.
Jesus eventually appeared to have rescued a point for Forest four minutes before the end of normal time when he fired home after Caleb Yirenkyi went down in the area.
However, VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out after the referee determined that Jesus had caused Yirenkyi’s fall.
Coventry held on to complete their first Premier League victory since returning to the division, with Lampard running towards the visiting supporters at full-time to celebrate with his players and staff.
The result lifted Coventry to 18th place, above Fulham and Tottenham, while Forest remained 12th.