Nottingham Forest snapped their four-game winless run, at just the right time, and moved five points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over 10-man West Ham on Saturday.
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The victory comes with Nottingham Forest (24 points) set to face three hugely difficult tests — Aston Villa, Liverpool and Brighton — in their next three PL fixtures, adding to to what is now a six-game winless skid (0W-3D-3L) for West Ham (36 points).
Forest didn’t manage to score until first-half stoppage time, but it was their third high-quality chance of the game, after Taiwo Awoniyi and Anthony Elanga put clear-cut chances right at goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. This time, it was the deft touch, after a bit of brute force, which was required from Awoniyi to break the deadlock. Nicolas Dominguez smashed a ball into Awoniyi’s feet and he controlled it brilliantly while shielding Nayef Aguerd on his back side. First touch into space and a cool finish inside the far post for 1-0.
Things went from bad to worst for West Ham, as Kalvin Phillips was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the span of three minutes midway through the second half. Phillips caught Morgan Gibbs-White late and high as the two came together in a 50-50 challenge.
It was stoppage time again when Nottingham Forest struck to make it 2-0 and put the game to bed. Neco Williams crossed for Elanga in the goal mouth, but his touch sent the ball bounding into the air and behind him, but Callum Hudson-Odoi arrived to collect and fire home at the near post.
Nottingham Forest “were in control,” says Nuno Espirito Santo
“I think we played a very good game. Defensively we were very aggressive, really close to the West Ham players. We played good, we created chances, we scored, I think we controlled the game really well.”
“I think the team were well-organized, we felt we were in control of the game. Having one man more made the difference, but we controlled even though the West Ham set pieces are so dangerous. Congratulations to the players and the fans, especially to the amazing fans at the City Ground.”What’s next?
West Ham will try to keep their European hopes alive next Monday (3 pm ET), when Brentford travel from west to east for a London derby. Forest will visit top-hour hopefuls Aston Villa earlier in matchweek 26 (Saturday, 10 am ET).
Player ratings - Nottingham Forest vs West Ham
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Nottingham Forest vs West Ham, final score: 2-0
Goalscorers: Taiwo Awoniyi (45'+4), Callum Hudson-Odoi (90'+4)
45th minute +4 - GOAL - Taiwo Awoniyi slots Nottingham Forest ahead
90th minute +3 - GOAL -
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Online via Peacock Premium
Nottingham Forest starting lineup
Sels — Williams, Felipe, Murillo, Tavares — Danilo, Dominguez, Gibbs-White — Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi
West Ham starting lineup
Areola — Coufal, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson — Alvarez, Phillips, Kudus — Bowen, Ward-Prowse, Antonio
Nottingham Forest focus, team news
Forest will have Ibrahim Sangare, Willy Boly and Ola Aina back from international duty as the former duo prevailed in the AFCON final for hosts Ivory Coast against Aina’s Nigeria. Nuno will be hoping the return of that defensive-minded trio will give Forest a solid foundation after shipping nine goals in their last four games. In attack the duo of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga both scored last time out and are looking fit and raring to kick on down the final stretch, while loan signing Gio Reyna will be hoping for his first start.
OUT: Chris Wood (thigh), Gonzalo Montiel (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Ibrahim Sangare (international duty), Ola Aina (international duty), Willy Boly (international duty)
West Ham focus, team news
The Hammers have badly missed chief playmaker Paqueta and both he and Michail Antonio are getting closer to a return. They still have Bowen, Kudus, Cornet and Ings in attack and that quartet should have enough between them to cause Forest plenty of problems. More than anything Moyes will want to see a big response from his side after they were thrashed in embarrassing fashion by London rivals Arsenal last weekend.
QUESTIONABLE: Lucas Paqueta (calf)