West Ham blew Nottingham Forest away late on as the Hammers scored three late goals to secure a huge 3-0 win on Sunday.
WATCH — Full match replay
Jarrod Bowen got the party started in the 84th minute with a fine finish, then Lucas Paqueta made it 2-0 and Callum Wilson headed home a third as West Ham’s subs made a huge difference.
The pressure has eased on Graham Potter as West Ham have their first points of the season after two defeats before this, while Nuno Espirito Santo is under pressure with Forest suffering their first defeat of the season amid a public dispute between himself and owner Evangelos Marinakis.
West Ham have too much quality to struggle
Yes, it has been a poor start to the season under Graham Potter but this win will ease the pressure on him substantially and West Ham looked better in a 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday. It was tight until the very end but then their quality shone through to win them the game. In truth, West Ham have a squad of players who will always pull a moment of magic out when they’re needed. There is too much quality in this Hammers side for them to struggle against relegation this season. Of course, they can. But with Bowen, Paqueta and Fullkrug making a nuisance of themselves in attack, plus new signings Kyle Walker-Peters, Mateus Fernandes, Malick Diouf and Callum Wilson all settling in well, and the likes of fit-again Crysencio Summerville doing so well off the bench too, when you start to think about their squad it’s clear they are stacked with options. It’s all about getting the balance right, especially defensively, and if the Hammers can tighten things up and keep looking solid with four at the back, they clearly have enough quality at the top end of the pitch to win games and push for a top 10 finish under Potter.
What’s next?
Nottingham Forest head to Arsenal on Saturday, September 13, while West Ham host Spurs in a London derby on the same day.
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham score: 0-3
Bowen 84', Paqueta 88', Wilson 90+1'
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Bowen almost scores a worldie!
What is going on!? West Ham should score a fourth. Bowen takes it around several players and is about to tap it in... but Wilson gets in his way and has the shot himself which is saved. Bowen is furious! That would have been one of the best goals of the season!
Callum Wilson heads home!
Diouf whips in a great cross and substitute Callum Wilson heads home. Another sub makes a big impact. Game. Set. Match.
Penalty to West Ham! Paqueta scores!
Summerville surges into the box and Sangare dangles a leg and takes him out. Clear penalty kick. Gibbs-White wants a foul earlier in the move but VAR checks and the penalty kick stands. Lucas Paqueta slots home the penalty and the West Ham fans go bonkers. His celebration tells a story too. He puts a phone to his ear and says no, then kisses the West Ham badge. Two goals in a few minutes has surely won the game for West Ham.
Jarrod Bowen puts West Ham ahead!
Summerville has just come on and he runs at Forest to cause a problem. The ball then drops to Jarrod Bowen and his low shot sneaks in. Wild celebrations in the away end! Bowen kisses the West Ham badge and after his angry exchange with fans in midweek at Wolves, everyone looks a lot happier now.
Sels denies substitute Wilson!
Callum Wilson is on and he dribbles towards goal and his deflected shot is going in but Sels pushes it away for a corner.
Sels denies Fullkrug
Both teams trying to force the issue in attack now and West Ham find Fullkrug on the left side of the box but his shot across goal is pushed out by Sels. Just over 30 minutes to go. Who is going to take a bigger risk to try and win this?
Paqueta should make it 1-0!
Seconds after that great chance for Wood, West Ham almost make it 1-0. Bowen does so well down the right to run free but his cross is just behind Paqueta who scuffs his shot wide.
Wood should score right at the start of the second half!
Straight away in the first half a cross is clipped in and Chris Wood has lost his marker. Six yards out and a free header, but Wood puts a tame effort straight at Hermansen who can’t believe his luck. How many times have we seen Wood bury those!?
Half time: Nottingham Forest 0-0 West Ham
Not the best game in terms of chances and entertainment, but Forest are pressing high and forcing West Ham into mistakes. Both teams have had decent chances with West Ham coming closest via Lucas Paqueta’s shot which was saved. The Hammers will be happy with the scoreline but have to force the issue more.
Sels denies Paqueta!
A lovely ball down the left plays in new signing Mateus Fernandes and he cuts the ball back perfectly for Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian thinks he has scored but Matz Sels pushes the ball over the bar. Great save.
Ndoye crosses but it’s behind Wood
Forest are growing into this game and summer signing Dan Ndoye is in down the right. But his cross is behind the onrushing Chris Wood and West Ham clear. Ndoye against Diouf should be a great scrap down that flank.
Bright start from the Hammers
West Ham have started well and have pinned Forest in. Malick Diouf is looking sharp on the left, while Jarrod Bowen is buzzing around and Niclas Fullkrug nods a header from a corner over.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Snagare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
West Ham lineup
Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf; Ward-Prowse, Soucek; Bowen, Fernandes, Paqueta; Fullkrug
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
OUT: Nicolas Dominguez (knee)
West Ham United team news, focus
OUT: Luis Guilherme (shoulder), Crysencio Summerville (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: George Earthy (ankle)
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham prediction
Forest are considered big favorites here. Can West Ham use their midweek frustration and form a siege mentality to back their boss? It’s not impossible, but the City Ground is a tough place and Forest didn’t have to play this week, Maybe, just maybe, the Hammers swing hard enough to get something from Nottinghamshire. Nottingham Forest 1-1 West Ham United.
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham preview
Forest have been dealing with Nuno Espirito Santo-stoked controversy but it hasn’t hurt the team on the pitch as the Tricky Tees took care of Brentford to start the season before drawing Crystal Palace in Week 2.
West Ham were smacked 3-0 by Sunderland in Week 1 and followed it up with a blowout home loss to Chelsea before exiting the League Cup at the hands of Wolves on Wednesday.
That match saw West Ham star Jarrod Bowen clashing with fans at full time and the manager publicly requesting unity. Potter’s job is under threat but club landed help this week in the form of Southampton playmaker Mateus Fernandes.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: The City Ground — Nottingham
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
