Elliot Anderson returned to the City Ground for the first time since his £116 million move to Manchester City as Nottingham Forest finally received a lift-off under Oliver Glasner.

Just six minutes had elapsed when Jair Cunha stepped into midfield, bullied Josko Gvardiol and planted a left-footed strike into the bottom corner of the City goal. After 18 minutes, it was two, with Liam Delap taking on the entire City defence seemingly and rifling home a ferocious goal.

City did get back into the game after half time. Rayan Cherki, so often technically superb, scored a lovely left-footed goal that sailed unopposed into Matz Sels’ top corner, but Forest were never going to be denied in this one.

Delap had the final say on a night that pretty much belonged to him. After good work from Morgan Gibbs-White, he put Delap through down the left, and he bent an effort so brilliant into the corner that the Cristiano Ronaldo celebration that ensued was probably justified.

Anderson was kept largely quiet by the Forest pairing of Xaver Schlager and Ryan Yates, but after the game he was very keen to pay tribute to the club, which made him the world-class star that he’s now become.

What Elliot Anderson did after Manchester City defeat

Anderson’s return was popped to one side by a Forest fan base hell-bent on doing whatever they could to get the team over the line for a big three points. The crowd was as brilliant as the performance, and Anderson and his teammates had little response to the display.

Forest fans kept the homecoming celebrations for Anderson to a minimum. For 90 minutes, it was just Schlager and Yates bossing the midfield engine room with Anderson failing to dictate the game how he normally does.

After the game, Anderson spent a small amount of time clapping the travelling City supporters before taking time out to applaud all four stands with Forest fans in, with his action a very classy touch.

The midfielder was also given a warm reception by Evangelos Marinakis in the tunnel as he waited to congratulate the Forest players following the stunning victory.

Anderson’s void has proved tricky to fill this season for Forest. However, if the Reds can produce this level of commitment and determination to climb the table, it shouldn’t be long before things do start to pick up.