Pitchside at the City Ground – Nottingham Forest v Coventry City

Pitchside at the City Ground – Nottingham Forest v Coventry City

Saturday evening saw me back behind the goal at the City Ground for another Premier League assignment, photographing Nottingham Forest against newly promoted Coventry City.

There is always something special about working at the City Ground. The atmosphere, the proximity of the supporters to the pitch and the intensity of Premier League football make it a fantastic venue to photograph, and Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off provided another eventful evening.

A busy opening half - Nottingham Forest v Coventry City

Forest started positively and produced plenty for the cameras during the opening 45 minutes.

James McAtee, Neco Williams and Dan Ndoye were among those involved as the home side looked for the breakthrough, but despite Forest registering 14 attempts during the first half, the teams went into the interval goalless.

For a sports photographer, matches like this are a reminder that the scoreline doesn’t necessarily tell the story of what is happening in front of the lens. There was plenty of action, challenges, reactions and attacking football to capture even though neither side could find the net.

Coventry make the breakthrough

The decisive moment arrived ten minutes after the restart.

Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth launched the ball forward and Jay Dasilva produced an excellent first touch before breaking clear and finishing beyond Matz Sels.

It was a huge moment for the travelling supporters. Not only did it put Coventry ahead, it was the club’s first Premier League goal since returning to the top flight.

From pitchside, these are the moments you are constantly waiting for: anticipating where the attack is developing, following the player through the viewfinder and trying to capture the decisive frame as the action unfolds.

Forest push for an equaliser

The final stages produced some of the evening’s biggest moments.

Igor Jesus looked certain to level the scores when he lifted the ball beyond Rushworth, only for Bobby Thomas to race back and make an outstanding goal-line clearance.

Then came the drama. With the match entering its closing stages, Jesus finally had the ball in the Coventry net. For a few moments it appeared Forest had rescued a point, but VAR intervened.

Referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the pitchside monitor and, following his review, the goal was disallowed for a foul by Jesus on Caleb Yirenkyi in the build-up.

The decision ensured Dasilva’s goal remained the difference between the teams and Coventry left the City Ground with a 1–0 victory — their first Premier League win since 2001.

Another evening behind the goal

The result may not have been the one the majority inside the City Ground wanted, but photographically it was an interesting match to cover.

Football photography is about much more than simply capturing goals. It’s the challenges, celebrations, frustration, supporters and small moments around the game that help tell the complete story.

Saturday provided all of those.

Another Premier League fixture photographed, another set of images delivered — and another evening doing what I love from one of the best seats in the house: pitchside with a camera.

Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry CityGoal: Jay Dasilva 55’Venue: City Ground, NottinghamPremier League – 19 September 2026

Photography: Mark Dunn Photography