Foxes Exit FA Cup In Nottingham
City's encounter with Forest saw manager Brendan Rodgers make three changes to the XI that drew with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League prior to the winter break. Danny Ward, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho all started in a side captained by Youri Tielemans.
Having made his first start in nearly a year last time out, James Justin was again involved from the off and produced an important headed clearance after only five minutes to prevent Keinan Davis from connecting with a dangerous delivery into the box. Daniel Amartey, in the wall, then got in the way of Brennan Johnson's free-kick not long after.
A golden opportunity, after a slick move from City, then saw Iheanacho blast wide of the mark from 10 yards, as the Nigeria international looked to add to his profitable record in the FA Cup. Chances for both sides inside 10 minutes of a lively East Midlands derby.
The Foxes' left-hand side caused issues for Forest, with Harvey Barnes and Luke Thomas combining to great effect. On 10 minutes, though, Barnes' was unable to line up a strike after a flowing move with his fellow Academy graduate.
Not long after, City were awarded a corner, and from it, Ademola Lookman was desperately unlucky not to open the scoring after his deflected attempt flew wide after an inventive set-play from the lively James Maddison.
Forest remained a danger, with Davis, on loan from Aston Villa, slamming a strike onto the crossbar on 19 minutes, right in front of the 4,000 travelling members of the Blue Army. However, Forest capitalised on their next attack, with Philip Zinckernagel converting from Davis' knock-down.
And just like that, it was 2-0. Amartey's loose pass fell to Johnson, who side-footed in to double the hosts' advantage just a minute later.
Seeking an immediate reply, Lookman directed a strike off target, however, Forest, maintained their pressure, and after a fine, low save from Wales international Ward, a third goal did arrive moments later via the head of captain Joe Worrall.
Ward was there again with five minutes of the first half remaining, saving with his feet from Djed Spence, and that proved crucial as in the next attack, Iheanacho converted into an open net from an impossible angle after goalkeeper Brice Samba had rushed off his line.
At half-time, Rodgers introduced Zambia star Patson Daka, with Barnes making way. Not long into the second half, Johnson's strike deflected wide for a corner as Forest aimed to restore their three-goal cushion. Good goalkeeping from Ward saw him punch clear from the set-play.
A fluid attack from the Foxes followed on 53 minutes, with Daka linking up well with Maddison, who placed his attempt agonisingly wide of Samba's left-hand post.
Seconds after he created an opportunity, Daka lifted over an attempt of his own after being teed up by Iheanacho. Lookman then went down under pressure on the edge of the box, however nothing was given, and Forest raced up the other end to make it 4-1 through Spence.
City were presented with a huge task if they were to remain in the competition. After Çağlar Söyüncü headed over from Maddison's corner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Ricardo Pereira came on - the latter making his first appearance since breaking his leg against Liverpool in December.
Max Lowe dragged a half-volley wide of the mark on 67 minutes, while Daka arrowed a left-footed attempt over the crossbar with just over 15 minutes to play.
In search of three goals to force the tie to extra-time, a sweetly-struck volley from Amartey was kept out by Samba as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
In injury time, Ricardo drilled just wide, however City were unable to recover as their FA Cup defence came to an end at the City Ground.
Major moment
At 3-1 down, City knew the game's fifth goal would be huge. Opportunities fell to James Maddison and Patson Daka, however a lightning counter-attack from the hosts was rounded off by Djed Spence, who strengthened the Forest advantage. That goal proved to be too much for the Foxes to recover from.
Coming up...
City's attentions return to the Premier League on Thursday, when they travel to Merseyside to tackle Liverpool at Anfield (7:45pm kick-off). Then, they host West Ham United at King Power Stadium on Sunday (4:30pm kick-off).
All times GMT.