West Ham United came out on top in a thrilling encounter with Nottingham Forest after winning 3-2 at the London Stadium. A late Thomas Soucek header added to goals from Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen as that was enough for the home side, despite goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and Anthony Elanga as Forest fell short away from home again.
David Moyes made three changes from his side that got defeated in their last league game against Brentford. Captain Kurt Zouma made a return from injury as he came into the side along with Paqueta and Edson Alvarez. Steve Cooper named an unchanged side from the impressive 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Divock Origi and Chris Wood returned to the bench after returning from injury.
It was West Ham who got off to a quick fire start inside just three minutes. Nicolas Dominguez giving the ball away the ball in a central position which was pounced on by Lucas Paqueta who’s low shot from the edge of the box found the back of the net. A second goal of the season for the Brazilian who had big interest in the summer transfer window. Dominguez with a rare mistake as he has impressed in most of his games since arriving from Italian side Bologna.
Forest came close to equalising just after ten minutes. Harry Toffolo sending in a first time cross from the left which found the head of Taiwo Awoniyi who was brilliant denied by Alphonse Areola towards the top corner.
Just a minute before half time, Awoniyi did get the equaliser. Ibrahim Sangare playing the ball through to Morgan Gibbs-White who’s across shot was saved by Areola but Awoniyi was on hand for the follow up to equalise. A first goal since scoring away at Manchester United in August for Awoniyi who will be looking to reclaim that goal scoring touch.
That was it for the first half with the sides heading in level. An encouraging half from Forest who
saw a lot more of the ball than they normally do. West Ham were looking much more dangerous on the counter attack but just struggled to find the final pass. There was a half time substitute for Forest as Danilo replaced Dominguez in midfield.
Forest then took the lead with 63 minutes on the clock. Ola Aina got down the right side before pulling a ball back for Elanga who finished first time into the bottom corner. A second goal in Forest colours for the Swede who has been causing defenders problems in the last few games so it was a very much deserved goal for the forward.
West Ham then hit back with a quick fire response just two minutes later. A James Ward-Prowse corner was headed into the net by forward Bowen to cut short the Reds lead. The English forward, who has a good scoring record against Forest, with his eighth goal of the season as he keeps looking to get into the national team.
The away side then got let off as the woodwork came to their rescue. Aina poorly cleared a long pass from Alvarez and the ball fell to Soucek on a plate and he crashed his shot off the crossbar. A huge miss for the Hammer's as it looked like it was going to be a certain goal.
The Czech Republic international did then find the back of the net just two minutes from time. Another Ward-Prowse corner caused problems as Soucek headed in at the back post to put the London side back in front. Goal number three for the season for Soucek as he had seemed to snatch a late win for the Hammer's.
Despite Forest pushing for another, Soucek's header was the deciding goal in this frantic affair. A big result for West Ham as they return to winning ways in the Premier League. It moves Moyes' side up to 10th in the table as they get closer to the fight for European football. They next travel to a struggling Burnley side where they will look to go on a good run after the international break. Forest will be disappointed not to get anything out the game considering they were in front and were playing well. The Reds sit 15th in the table and next host Brighton & Hove Albion after the international break where they will want to return to winning ways.
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