Match Report: West Ham United 4-0 Nottingham Forest. Forest hammered by Hammers.

 

West Ham United eased the pressure on manager David Moyes as they breezed past Nottingham Forest after winning 4-0 at the London Stadium. Four goals in the second half proved enough for the Irons as Danny Ings opened his account. Declan Rice and Michail Antonio added to the lead. It is an afternoon that Forest fans will be furious at as the Reds are above West Ham in the table. It is a huge win for the Hammers as they jump to 16^th in the table. Forest remain 13^th and are now four points clear off the bottom three.

David Moyes made four changes to his side that lost at Tottenham last week. Lucas Paqueta, Ben Johnson, Said Benrahma and Danny Ings came into the side as Moyes looked for a turn around from the game against their London rivals. Paqueta was an injury doubt ahead of the match but would of gave West Ham fans some confidence going into the game seeing his name on the team sheet. Steve Cooper made two changes to his side that drew with champions Manchester City. Neco Williams came in for an injured Serge Aurier and Chris Wood came in for Danilo after his equaliser last week.

The first half offered very few chances but the first opportunity fell to the home side. After Navas punched a corner away it eventually found Paqueta. His low ball was deflected onto the post from a Forest man. The Hammers started the better of the sides and were amounting pressure on the Reds goal.

Forest then had one of their only chances of the game. Jonjo Shelvey sent in a free kick on the half way line and it found the head of Felipe. The Brazilian's looping header was tipped over the top by Lukasz Fabianski. The defender impressed last week against Manchester City and was looking to impress again.

That was it for the first half with the score at 0-0. Both teams struggling to create chances but it was West Ham seeing a lot of the ball on the edge of the Forest penalty area but not proving good enough to create anything. Forest really struggled to get anywhere near the the home sides penalty area. Seems to be an recurring theme for the Reds away from home. Moyes did make an change at half time, Aaron Cresswell came on for Vladimir Coufal.

Ten minutes into the second half, West Ham almost took the lead. Jarrod Bowen driving an low shot from the edge of the box hit the inside of the post and did not find a way in. The winger, who has played for England was looking to add to his goal tally of four goals in the league.

Then after Cooper took Jonjo Shelvey off for Andre Ayew, Forest had an 15 minutes that they will not want to remember. Ings opened the scoring on the 70 minute mark. After a switch of play from left to right, Bowen fired an low ball across and it was converted by the striker for his first goal since joining from Aston Villa.

The Englishman scored again just two minutes later. Forest gave away the ball from kick off and Benrahma found his way into the box before pulling it across for Ings to net his second, in similar fashion to how he scored his first. It was starting to feel like deja-vu for Forest as conceding in quick succession was happening at the start of the season.

The goals kept flowing for the Hammers as on the 78 minute mark, captain Declan Rice scored goal of the match. Benrahma was the provider again as he pulled it back for Rice on the edge of the box and he let fly from distance and found the top corner. The England international, who impressed at the World Cup, netting his second goal of the Premier League season and ultimately killing any hope that Forest had of getting back into the game.

Five minutes from time, an substitution combination wrapped up an excellent 15 minutes from the home side. Pablo Fornals sent in a cross from the left side and it was headed home by former Forest man Antonio. The former Red held back the celebrations as he still has a lot of respect for Forest after a successful spell in the 2014/15 season.

That was the final action of the game and for West Ham it is an huge three points in the race for survival. David Moyes had been under real pressure before the game but today proved the doubters wrong and pulled of an huge result. Forest will be scratching their heads wondering how they let that happen as they slowly slip back towards the bottom three. They need an response a week on Sunday as Sean Dyche's Everton visit the City Ground for a huge game. West Ham travel to Old Trafford to face an inform Manchester United. Moyes will be hoping to keep up a decent run of form after only one loss in their last five league games.

Match Report: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester City. Forest frustrate Premier League Champions.

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at the City Ground as substitute Chris Wood scored a late equaliser for the Nottingham Forest. The champions went top of the table in the week after beating title rivals Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. But after the draw they drop back down to second and Arsenal go back to the top after winning an entertaining game at Villa Park where they beat Aston Villa 4-2. The result at the City Ground has put Forest back up to 13th, they could drop down to 14th if Leicester avoid defeat at Manchester United. The East Midlands side now sit five points clear of the relegation zone.

 Steve Cooper made five changes to his side that were defeated 2-0 at Fulham a week ago. The Welshman set up Forest in a defensive way as three central midfielders came in alongside Remo Freuler. Jonjo Shelvey made his first start since arriving from Newcastle United. He was joined by Danilo and Jack Colback as the Reds started with a four man midfield. Scott Mckenna and Willy Boly missed out through injury and in came Felipe and Joe Worrall into the back four. Pep Guardiola made two changes from the win at Arsenal. Nathan Ake and Riyad Mahrez came out the side for Aymeric Laporte and Phil Foden,

 In a game that saw the visitors have 73% possession off the ball, it was them who had their first of many chances. Forest were able to clear a City corner but it fell to Kevin De Bruyne on the edge of the box. His powerful volley went just wide of the of goal. The midfielder from Belgium had scored four league goals before this game and was looking to add to his tally. 

 The midfielder was then involved in another chance. After some patient play fro City, De Bruyne sent a ball into the box that was met by Rodri and his header went just wide. The away side were causing problems for Forest and were seeing so much of the ball but they just could not find that opening goal.

 Just ten minutes later the side from Manchester did find the opening goal. After a corner was cleared, City regained the ball and Grealish passed in centrally from the right. His pass was then struck first time on the edge of the box by Bernardo Silva and it flew past Keylor Navas into the back of the net. It was a third goal of the season for the Portuguese midfielder and it would of given a sent of relief for City faithful as they finally found a way through.

 That was it for the first half and the champions were ahead. Not a pretty half for the Forest fans but they were happy that they were keeping City out and were still in the game. The Reds could just not get on the ball and could not get forward. Guardiola's men had plenty of the ball but could not create many clear cut chances. Despite this they were ahead at the interval which was the most important part. 

 Early in the second half the visitors had a golden chance. Ilkay Gundogan played a ball past Worall and Foden was through on goal. The forward was caught in two minds whether to shoot or put it across to the league top scorer Erling Haaland. He tried to play it across in the end but defender Felipe managed to get there and clear the ball.

 Another chance fell for the Champions. This time a corner from De Bruyne was met by defender Laporte as he charged his way into the box. His free header was brilliantly saved by Navas as he managed to keep the score down. City could just not find a way to hit the back of the net and were growing more and more frustrated.

 The home side did then finally have a chance of their own. Brennan Johnson got down the right hand side and cut his pass back to Morgan Gibbs-White. His first time shot went well over the bar and did not threaten the goal. It was encouraging signs from Forest as they finally got forward and had a chance.

 26 goal man Haaland then had an head in hands moment. With 20 minutes to go, Foden shot from range was pushed away only as far as the Norwegian who hit the bar from close range. It then fell right back to him and it looked like he would seal a seventh away league win for the away side but his shot went over the bar from just a couple of yards out. The concession of chances summed up the afternoon in front of goal for the multi million pound squad.

 With just over 15 minutes to go, Gundogan was next to miss a chance. A free kick on the edge of the box from the German was brilliantly tipped over by Navas. The on loan PSG keeper proving to be a brilliant purchase for Forest.

 Them missed chances would prove to be vital as Forest equalised just 6 minutes from time. After Johnson got down the right he found Gibbs-White who put a ball low across the City box and was tapped home at the back post by substitute Wood. It was a first Forest goal for the New Zealand forward, who's deal was made permanent this week, and it proved to be a big goal for Forest. The move for the goal involved every Forest player touch the ball and without losing it in the process. 

 That goal proved to be the last action of the game as Manchester City dropped an important two points in the title race. A frustrating afternoon for the champions which they will look to bounce back from. The result for Forest stretches their home unbeaten to record in the league to eight games and you would of thought they had won the game as the City Ground was bouncing. Up next for Reds is a trip to West Ham United. If they win that they will be in a very good position going into the final 14 games. For the Blues, they turn their attention to the Champions League as they travel to Germany to face RB Leipzig for the first leg of the round of 16.

Match Report: Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest. Solomon first league goal ends Forest unbeaten run.

As they did at the City Ground, Fulham came out on top against Nottingham Forest after a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage. The win is a first win in three league games for the side from London who end an unbeaten 2023 for Forest as their away woes continue. The win has put Fulham seventh in the table. Whereas, for the Reds they drop down to 14th in the table. Marco Silva made nine changes to his side that defeated Sunderland in the FA Cup replay. Only Kenny Tete and Joao Palhinha kept their place in the side as they went back to a fully strength side. Steve Cooper made two changes to his side that beat Leeds United last week. Serge Aurier and Gustavo Scarpa came into the side for Neco Williams and Danilo. Midfielder Danilo did not make the squad for the game. After just five minutes, Cooper was forced into a double change. Centre backs Willy Boly and Scott Mckenna were forced off through injury and they were replaced by Felipe, making his Reds debut, and captain Joe Worrall. A big blow for Forest who already have a long list of injuries and having to use two of the five substitutes in the opening minutes would not have been planned. The home side took the lead after 17 minutes. An Andreas Pereira free kick was not successfully cleared by Forest , despite having chances to, the ball eventually fell to Brazilian. Willian, After some trickery from the former Chelsea and Arsenal man he curled his left footed shot into the far top left corner. It is now three goals this season for the 34 year old who had an enjoyable afternoon by the Thames. It was nearly two for Silva's men 10 minutes before half time. The ball was passed across to Alexander Mitrovic from the left hand side and after some unexpected trickery to get past Worrall, he had a free shot on goal, But the Serbian was brilliantly denied by Keylor Navas to keep the score down. The striker would have been looking to net his 12th league goal of the campaign but couldn't that time after those Navas heroics. The final action of the half came for the host's again. This time Bobby Reid having a go from distance but his shot came of the cross bar. The Jamaican already has four goals this season so he came close to adding a fifth in style, That was it for the first half as Forest found themselves behind away from home again. The Reds really struggled to create anything clear cut and spent most the of the half backed up in their own half. For Fulham, it was so far so good as they were creating chances and doing everything right to keep out this Forest side. Cooper would have been disappointed that Forest struggled to create anything, There was no changes at the break as the second half got underway. The chances kept flowing for the home side. Goal scorer Willian drove from the left side before having a go from distance. Like Reid, his shot hit the woodwork. It looked like it was going to be a very similar half to what the first one was like. The woodwork was hit for the third time by Fulham. Pereira had a free kick from the left and it was just off target after hitting the top of the crossbar. The Brazilian has really impressed since joining from Manchester United in the summer and was looking to keep up his good performances. Then Forest really started to amount pressure on the Fulham goal. A corner fell back to Morgan Gibbs White, his second attempted cross was headed only as far as Johnson and his shot went over the cross bar. It was in a very similar fashion to what his goal against Leeds United was like on Sunday. Another chance fell to Reds just moments later. Serge Aurier sent a cross in from the right and found an unmarked Emmanuel Dennis at the back post. But the substitute could not keep his shot down and Fulham were let off. The Nigerian had only scored one league goal before today and was looking to find some form. The chances did not stop their for Forest. Substitute Jonjo Shelvey, making his Forest debut, sent in a cross from the right found Aurier. His header was saved on the line by keeper Leno. The Reds have only scored three times away from home in the league and it looked like that it was going to stay that way. Fulham then wrapped the game up. After Forest sent bodies forward, Fulham started a counter attack down the right. The ball was played centrally to Pereira and he found Manor Solomon in acres of space and he calmly slotted in the game defying goal. It is a first goal in the Premier League for the on loan winger who has missed the majority of the season through injury. That was the final action of the game as Fulham picked up a first win in three league games. The Cottages are now level on points with 6th pace Brighton, but the Seagulls do have two games in hand. Forest remain six points clear of the bottom three and will be hoping Everton do not pick up 3 points in their next game. Next up for Fulham they travel to Brighton were they will look to leapfrog the side from Sussex. For Forest, they host Premier League champions Manchester City were they will look to pull off an upset and keep up their good home form.

Match Report: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United. Johnson goal earns Reds second straight home league win.

Nottingham Forest have kept up their good home record against Leeds United after a 1-0 victory in the Premier League. The Reds now have won their last three home games against the side from Yorkshire, this one in the top flight. The victory has sent Forest back up to 13th in the league and now six points clear of the relegation zone. Leeds remain 17th after yesterdays results and are now looking over their shoulder as they are now level on points with Everton, but they do have a game in hand. Steve Cooper made four changes to his side defeated by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi final. New signing Keylor Navas was handed a first start in goal and Morgan Gibbs-White came back from an ankle injury. Former Leeds man Chris Wood also came in along with Danilo. Jesse Marsch made five changes to his side that won at Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. Wilfred Gnonto, who has impressed this season, returned to the side and there was starts for Liam Cooper and Tyler Adams who were a doubt going into the game. Debutante Navas was called into action just two minutes into the game. Sinisterra latched upon a lose ball before heading it over the centre halves and getting his shot off. But Navas was quick to get down low to the shot and making a good save. There was a real buzz for the three time Champions League winner after making his move from PSG. The home side then took the lead on 13 minutes. After winning the free kick, it was Brennan Johnson getting his fifth league goal of the season. Gibbs-White sent the free kick in from the right which was headed away only as far as Johnson who struck it first time into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. That is fourth goal involvement in his last 3 league games. The Welshman has really stepped up since the World Cup break. The visitors then had a huge chance. Luke Ayling sent in a cross from the right and it found Gnonto at the back post. His pass across the goal found Sinisterra and he blazed over from just a couple of yards out. The Colombian has netted twice so far in the league this season but couldn't find the net today. The chances kept falling to the visitors. This time a low ball across was miss hit by Bamford but fell for Ayling. His left footed shot was saved by Navas as it was heading for the far corner. The first half mostly being dominated by Leeds as Forest were really struggling to get into the game. That wasn't the final chance of the half as the Whites had another big opportunity. Neco Williams struggled to clear a high ball and his headed clearnce fell straight to Gnonto and he was yet again denied by Navas. Leeds were getting chances but could not get through the keeper from Costa Rica. That was it for the first half and Leeds would of felt they did not deserve to be behind. A half of which they dominated the ball and had numerous chances they could not find that cutting edge. For Forest they were really struggling to get into the game but took their chance well and proved to be more clinical Cooper did make two changes at half time Danilo and Orel Mangala came of and Serge Aurier and Jack Colback replaced them. This pushed Williams into lef midfield position as Gnonto was causing him a few problems in that first half. The second half showed not many chances at all for either side. Just like the first half, Leeds did have a lot of the ball but did not create a lot. Once chance though did come for the home side. Neco Williams was played through the middle but Ayling managed to catch up which forced Neco into rushing his shot and putting it over the bar. The Welsh international was having a better game since moving to that side of the pitch. Another chance did come for Forest. The Reds did well to keep hold of the ball on the edge of the box and it eventually fell to substitute Surridge and he tried to find the far corner but leaned back to much and it went over the bar. Despite late pressure from Leeds, the referee blew his whistle and got Nottingham Forest another huge 3 points. The Reds now have the most points in 2023 out of any other Premier League start and will be looking to keep up this good form and to stay in the league. As for Leeds, it is now seven league games without a win and will seriously be looking over their shoulder as they are being dragged ever so closer to the relegation zone. Next up for the Whites they face against an inform Manchester United twice in the same week and both being in the league which could prove to be vital. For Forest, they travel to a high flying Fulham where they will be looking to keep up this promising form. Also, new signing Andre Ayew came on for his debut after completing a free transfer after deadline day.