Forest’s unbeaten home record was emphatically shattered as Coventry ran riot for only their second win of the campaign.
The home side struggled from the beginning, and the magnitude of the challenge was doubled when Gareth Taylor was dismissed for an elbow on Tim Sherwood.
Andy Morrell had headed Coventry in front before Taylor’s dismissal and added a second in the 52nd minute, capitalising on Andrew Impey’s woeful back pass.
Eddie Johnson stooped for a third and Stephen Hughes was surprised when he squeezed a long-range effort past Barry Roche.
Masses of Forest fans had headed for the exits long before the final whistle and David Johnson’s consolation was no more than that.
Advertisement
Joe Kinnear, the Forest manager, failed to appear to offer his thoughts as he reflected on an end to his unbeaten start.
But Peter Reid, the Coventry manager, was adamant that his side had produced their best display under his brief reign.
“It was a polished and professional performance and even though Forest had 10 men, you’ve still got to get the job done.”
STAR MAN: Tim Sherwood (Coventry)
Advertisement
Player ratings. Nottm Forest: Roche 5, Louis-Jean 5 (Commons 5min, 5, Gardner 70min, 5), Rogers 5, Morgan 5, Hjelde 5, Evans 5, Impey 5, Jess 4 (King 45min, 4), Reid 5, Johnson 5, Taylor 4.
Coventry: Shearer 5, Carey 6, Staunton 6, Shaw 5, Davenport 7, Doyle 7, Hughes 6, Sherwood 7, Barrett 6 (McSheffrey 80min, 5), Morrell 6 (Gudjonsson 63min, 5), Johnson 6 (Suffo 63min, 5).
Scorers: Nottm Forest: Johnson 74
Advertisement
Coventry: Morrell 41, 52, Johnson 59, Hughes 70
Referee: M Ryan
Attendance: 23,041