Nottingham Forest 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League) 02.11.24
Forest produced a completely dominant performance – particularly in the second half – in a game that could’ve had even more goals for the Reds, and saw them take *another* three points in the Premier League, this time against West Ham.
The first half
Forest started off pretty much how they wanted to go on; an early chance, just wide of Fabianski’s goal. But already, they were knocking at the door of the Irons, for whom come off a big win against Manchester United — one that saw Erik ten Hag get the ‘sack’.
Forest saw opportunities to build forward with quick counters, thanks to the nifty fullbacks Moreno & Aina, who – with the help of pivots Yates & Dominguez – broke out from the West Ham pressure, and strode up the pitch.
While there wasn’t a vast amount of “goal mouth” chances, but Forest the better side, albeit not necessarily dominant.
Forest would break the deadlock though, as that man again – Chris Wood – scored his 8th of the season. A superb overlapping run, followed by a deeper sprint, into the box, and a chip to Wood who heads it home for the opener. Wonderful assist from loanee Moreno, and Wood makes it 23 goals in the Premier League era — just one off of top scorer, Bryan Roy (24).
The shots kept coming, Sels was rarely tested, West Ham lacked structure and a game plan. Soon, they would undo themselves even more.
As Forest recover the ball, Elanga is on a run down the right flank, deep into enemy lines, but not in the box. Despite little threat, and the West Ham box covered, Alvarez – already on a yellow – slides into Elanga, and is booked again. A red card before half time. He even walked to the Trent End, forgetting where the tunnel was – a weekend to forget for the Mexican Midfielder.
In all honesty, Guido Rodriguez’ foot-up tackle on Gibbs-White could’ve seen a red before. Summerville’s malicious kick to Yates’ head while on the ground could’ve seen one too – VAR didn’t get that right, in my view.
The roars of joy from Forest fans echoed around the four pillars of the fortress which is the City Ground – a convincing first half to say the least from the Reds. 1-0.
The second half
Forest needed to start as they left off in the first half, and could not afford to be complacent – despite being down to ten men, West Ham entered Soler & Antonio, attacking/midfield options.
Antonio made an impact, showing his strength, but Forest neutralised that – a battle v Milenković or Murillo has to be one of the most undesirable tasks for any centre-forward at the moment. Forest have only conceded once in three games thanks to that.
West Ham though, they looked flat, and it only got worse as the half went on; Todibo made runs, aimlessly, and others the same. No structure. Forest exploited this.
Dominguez & Yates anchored the midfield superbly, and moved possession up the pitch with great speed, as did Aina & Moreno. One wasn’t enough for Forest though, they wanted more.
Despite many shots coming close, Forest went for another. Hudson-Odoi cuts inside, you know the rest….he shoots, and it goes bottom corner of the far post. A slight deflection off of a West Ham head, but a wonderfully taken shot from the Forest star, who scores another great goal. Another goal for Forest, and Hudson-Odoi scores against the Hammers again – he scores against them last season, in the 94th minute to make it 2-0.
Forest are dominating, late into the second half, and kept knocking at that door of 10-man West Ham, for whom Fabianski was keeping them from even more goals being conceded. But soon enough, his righteous efforts would succumb to the Forest persistence.
Ola Aina manages to keep the ball despite West Ham’s physical efforts to stop him, and as he cuts across the edge of the box, he fires a left-footed rocket shot into the top corner of the goal. Fabianski beaten, another absolutely outrageous goal from Forest. Ola Aina a contender for MOTM – 3-0.
The energy and atmosphere at the City Ground was simply electric, contagious. Noise like that hasn’t been heard for a while. 30,000+ fans going crazy – a sight to be seen. The game had one more goal, well almost, as Yates’ goal was flagged for offside – VAR did eventually agree.
This was Forest’s best performance overall this season, the best win, completely dominant in every aspect. Gave nothing to the opposition.
Lopitegui demanded heavy sums from Forest to become their manager, and Forest said no. It’s almost a miracle they did, as the work Nuno Espírito Santo has done/is doing is unprecedented. Forest now third at the time of publishing, and with 9 points in the last three games.
Forest are serious about establishing themselves, and this afternoon proved it.
Forest 3, West Ham 0.
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates his goal for Forest.
