Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 2.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers0Nottm ForestNottingham Forest2
Championship leaders Wolves had their 13-match unbeaten league run ended as Aitor Karanka claimed his first win as Nottingham Forest manager.
Kieran Dowell's deflected 25-yard shot wrong-footed keeper John Ruddy to put Forest ahead against the run of play.
The hosts were stunned again just three minutes later when Ben Osborn smashed in a shot from Matty Cash's pull-back.
Wolves pressed after the break, but rarely threatened to break through Forest's disciplined defence.
Both managers rang the changes for contrasting reasons, with the hosts making nine to the starting XI narrowly beaten at Swansea in their midweek FA Cup replay, while Karanka made four for his second game in charge of out-of-form Forest.
The hosts, who last tasted defeat at Molineux in mid-August against Cardiff, had the lion's share of possession for long periods.
But Forest, who had picked up just five points in their nine previous league matches, kept them at arm's length and Matt Doherty almost deflected Dowell's free-kick into his own net before the visitors grabbed their quickfire double.
Diogo Jota sent a curling shot just past the far post, but the Championship's most potent attack were unable to seriously test goalkeeper Jordan Smith throughout.
Danny Fox had to head clear from under his own crossbar from Ivan Cavaleiro's cross as the home side sought a second-half comeback, but the defender almost claimed a third for the visitors when his header was tipped over the bar by Ruddy.
The defeat meant Wolves' lead over second-placed Derby County remains at nine points, while Forest's first win in seven league matches lifted them a place to 14th.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo told BBC WM:
"I think it was one of the games where we were not as good as we could and should be.
"We knew that this day could come. We must improve and have to bounce back immediately from this.
"I am responsible maybe for not telling the boys we still have a long way to go. Nobody can relax here."
Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka:
"It was a real good performance, it's not easy to win here and for me the most important thing has been the commitment from everybody.
"We have to grow, we have to be more intense. We have a really good squad. We were passing the ball really well - if we can play with more intensity we are going to improve.
"The club is very well organised - we will finish the transfer window with a better squad than we have now."
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 3-4-3
- 21Ruddy
- 5BennettBooked at 90mins
- 16CoadyBooked at 38mins
- 15Boly
- 2DohertySubstituted forHélder Costaat 45'minutes
- 27Saiss
- 8NevesSubstituted forMirat 78'minutes
- 3DouglasSubstituted forGibbs-Whiteat 45'minutes
- 7Cavaleiro
- 33Bonatini
- 18JotaBooked at 65mins
Substitutes
- 4A N'Diaye
- 6Batth
- 9Mir
- 17Hélder Costa
- 24Gibbs-White
- 25Miranda
- 31Norris
Nottm Forest
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 43Smith
- 2Lichaj
- 42WorrallBooked at 19mins
- 4Mancienne
- 13FoxBooked at 6mins
- 31Bouchalakis
- 14Cash
- 7BridcuttBooked at 30minsSubstituted forCloughat 69'minutes
- 11Osborn
- 20DowellSubstituted forDarikwaat 83'minutes
- 17Brereton
Substitutes
- 5Mills
- 6Traore
- 16Clough
- 18Carayol
- 27Darikwa
- 30Henderson
- 39Vellios
- Referee:
- Robert Madley
- Attendance:
- 29,050
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamNottm Forest
- Possession
- Home63%
- Away37%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Nottingham Forest 2.
Post update
Foul by Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Ben Brereton (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Hélder Costa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Zach Clough (Nottingham Forest).
Booking
Ryan Bennett (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Bennett (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Conor Coady.
Post update
Attempt saved. Matthew Cash (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Osborn.
Post update
Attempt missed. Rafa Mir (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Diogo Jota.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Bennett (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Offside, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Romain Saiss tries a through ball, but Ivan Cavaleiro is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Tendayi Darikwa replaces Kieran Dowell.
Post update
Foul by Rafa Mir (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Post update
Andreas Bouchalakis (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Michael Mancienne.
Post update
Foul by Willy Boly (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
