Britt Assombalonga's late goal was not enough to rescue Nottingham Forest's unbeaten start to the Championship season as Russell Slade celebrated his first match as Cardiff City manager with a victory on Saturday.
Two goals in five minutes from Macheda and Whittingham were enough for the Bluebirds to take the points.
A full match report is available on www.football.co.uk
Stuart Pearce reaction: "I am disappointed with the manner of the defeat. We were not at the races today, man for man and collectively we were outfought and gave away a couple of very poor goals.
"There were some half-hearted challenges to stop players and that has not been us this year, and that is probably the thing that disappoints me the most.
"But if you think I am disappointed, then the players are even more disappointed to have seen their unbeaten run ended."