West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest: Forest beat Hammers to stay in Champions League race | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest held onto a vital three points against West Ham in their hunt for Champions League football, despite a late goal from Jarrod Bowen at the London Stadium.

Morgan Gibbs-White gave Nuno Espírito Santo’s side the lead in the 11th minute before Nikola Milenković doubled the advantage on the hour mark.

Bowen volleyed home in the 86th minute to set up a nervy finish, but Forest rode the storm and now sit in seventh place in the Premier League, just two points outside the top five.

As it happened

In their final home match of the campaign, it took only one minute for The Hammers’ first chance of the game, as Vladimír Coufal’s cross picked out Tomáš Souček, whose header was tipped over the bar by Matz Sels. Soon, Forest started to find their rhythm, and after and long throw, the ball fell to Gibbs-White, who shot straight at Alphonse Areola.

In an entertaining first five minutes, West Ham looked to take the game to Forest and the visitors were always looking to launch their trademark counter-attacks. After a long ball over the top, Anthony Elanga touched the ball down for Chris Wood to strike first time, but it was palmed away by Areola.

After 10 minutes, Forest took the lead as Areola attempted to play out from the back before finding only Gibbs-White, who put the ball into the empty net. The celebrations involved a tribute to Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was admitted to hospital earlier this week.

There was audible frustration coming from the home support as their side attempted to re-establish their earlier intensity. A moment of concern emerged when Bowen collided with the post while attempting to equalise, causing the game to be halted. Luckily, West Ham’s skipper was left with just a cut above his eye and able to continue.

The match continued in the same way: the home side seeing a lot of the ball but Forest always quick to break. A deep corner from the visitors resulted in Wood heading onto the outside of the post. However, no real clear cut chances materialised.

With 10 minutes left until stoppage time, the ball ricocheted to Aaron Cresswell, who tried an audacious back-heel which deflected behind for a corner. Despite being behind, The Hammers forward play became very lethargic, with passing often going astray or out of play. This was in complete contrast to when Nottingham Forest regained possession. They were crisp, quick and direct.

Four minutes were added on, but there was a lengthy delay as Murillo went down in the West Ham penalty area and had to be helped off of the pitch as the whistle blew. There were boos echoing around as the home side left the pitch.

Forest got the second half underway with Murillo still on the pitch. It was the home side who started this half better, needing to brighten the mood around the London Stadium.

Mohammed Kudus was the home side’s brightest spark, as he was constantly looking to break the Forest lines. However, the first shot of the half came from Coufal, who chested the ball and then volleyed onto the roof of the net.

Forest doubled their lead on the hour mark, as Elanga whipped in a great delivery and Milenković’s flicked header flew into the far corner. A lengthy VAR check followed before the decision was that the goal stood. It was a huge goal in their race for European football.

After a lengthy run, Coufal found Carlos Soler, who shifted the ball onto his right foot before his effort was diverted out for a corner via Sels. Suddenly, the hosts’ pace intensified but they still struggled to find the necessary quality in the final third.

After that, Forest had a great opportunity for a third, as Gibbs-White squared the ball for Elanga, who couldn’t quite connect.

West Ham got one back on 85 minutes, as the recently introduced Morato’s clearing header was flicked up in the air and smashed into the net brilliantly by Bowen. It was a terrific goal, and one which set up a nervy final few minutes for the visitors.

Jota Silva was sent through by Wood and his shot was brilliantly blocked behind for a corner by Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Into the 13th minute of stoppage time, Areloa came up for a Hammers’ corner and Niclas Füllkrug headed towards goal, only for Sels to palm it away.

An off the ball incident between Murillo and Lucas Paquetá caused further delays and yellow cards aplenty for both sides. Finally the whistle blew after 107 minutes of football.

Forest know that winning the last game may still not be enough for Champions League football next season, but winning their game against Chelsea and hoping for results to go their way is all they can do. As for West Ham, their final home game of the season ended in disappointment, befitting of a season in which they have consistently flattered to deceive.

The lineups

WHU: Areola; Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Coufal, Ward-Prowse, Rodríguez, Wan-Bissaka; Souček; Bowen, Kudus

NFO: Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Domínguez, Sangaré, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Wood, Elanga