West Ham 3 Nottingham Forest 2
As the bubbles descended on the London Stadium pitch, West Ham welcomed Nottingham Forest to London as they looked to try and get a win after their European exploits in the week. So far this season, this has been a tough ask of David Moyes’ side.
Fortunately, the visitors seemed in a festive mood as they gifted the hosts the ball and Paqueta drilled an effort from outside the box into the bottom corner to give The Hammers the lead with only three minutes on the clock.
As Steve Cooper’s side tried to find a way back into the game, Toffolo put in a pinpoint cross to Awoniyi whose header seemed destined for the net but somehow Areola got across to claw it out of the goal akin to that infamous David Seaman save.
West Ham had the chance to make it two as they broke at pace and three players against two defenders but as the ball broke to Paqueta, he seemed to get it caught under his feet and could only scuff a shot straight at the keeper.
Credit: @premierleague
The hosts soon paid for that as Forest came forward with Gibbs-White, who only had an eye for goal, but his shot was parried by Areola. Awoniyi was on hand to tap the rebound home for a true poacher’s goal to square the game up just before the interval.
Forest seemed to grow in confidence after the break as Awoniyi and Elanga played the ball back and fore between them, leaving four West Ham players in their wake but the striker dragged his finish wide of the post.
Cooper’s side did not have to wait long as Aina crossed from the right to find Elanga who struck it first time past Areola to send the away fans crazy as the visitors had completely turned the game on its head.
The visitors had managed to silence the home faithful like they had just heard of the passing of Paulo Di Canio as Steve Cooper’s side celebrated the goal they hoped were going to claim all the points in the capital.
Sadly for Forest, Jarrod Bowen said ‘hold my pint’ at this point. David Moyes’ side forced a corner in their next attack and the reliable James Ward-Prowse found the head of Bowen who drew the sides level, only two minutes after going behind.
It was Ward-Prowse’s eighth assist of the season, yet Gareth Southgate continues to ignore this fact when he names his England squads. Many fans laud the Three Lions’ manager as a true great, yet he just seems to be in the business of ‘nearly’ winning things. Squad selections could play a part in this.
Credit: @WestHam
Forest then gifted Coufal a chance when Aina’s header was short of its target but the West Ham man saw his volley thunder back off the underside of the bar and into the grateful hands Vlachodimos. It seemed a real let off for Steve Cooper’s side.
Ward-Prowse continued to cause problems with his set-piece deliveries and as he found the head of Soucek, the Nottingham Forest keeper made an incredible save to flick it over the bar when it seemed destined for the net.
The ex-Southampton man then whipped in a corner and it was met by Soucek who made a great run to attack the cross, finally beating the Forest keeper and once again giving West Ham the lead in this topsy turvy game.
Substitute Divock Origi almost got one of his trademark late goals but his well struck effort from outside the box was tipped over the bar by Areola. The stadium erupted as the full-time whistle sounded, Hammers’ fans realising this was a hard-fought win.
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