Forest were unable to make the most of chances created as Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners at The City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Nuno Espírito Santo named two changes to the side which lost to Everton last time out as Willy Boly and Anthony Elanga came into the starting line-up, with Forest reverting to a back three in defence.
The Reds limited the current Premier League champions to very few chances in the early stages, and instead had the better opportunities themselves - Neco Williams seeing a header kept out inside the first minute.
But on 33 minutes, the visitors took the lead when Joško Gvardiol glanced in a header at the near post from a Kevin De Bruyne corner.
Forest looked to ignite a response, and had their best chance through Chris Wood shortly after. Gonzalo Montiel, who replaced the injured Neco Williams before City's goal, cut the ball back from Ola Aina's cross, but Wood was unable to make a decisive connection.
Forest then had another big chance before the break when a corner wasn't cleared by City, but Murillo's flick shaved the crossbar and over.
The Reds' good spell continued after the interval when Elanga beat Kyle Walker for pace down the left and cut the ball back for Wood to shoot, but Gvardiol made a good block on the line.
City began to grow into the game in the latter stages though, and found a crucial second goal through Erling Haaland who broke into the area and found the bottom corner for 2-0.
Forest showed plenty of endeavour and found themselves in dangerous areas, but were unable to respond as the three points went to Pep Guardiola's side.