Nottingham Forest gave their Premier League survival bid a major shot in the arm with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, ending a four-game losing streak and piling further pressure on the struggling Hammers, Softfootball reports.
Forest arrived in east London on the back of four straight league defeats, the most recent a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa last weekend, but boss Sean Dyche had urged his players to stay focused ahead of what he described as a “high-stakes” encounter. His side responded with a display full of resilience and belief.
The backdrop was tense, with both managers under increasing scrutiny. Nuno Espírito Santo faced the daunting prospect of being sacked for the second time this season, while West Ham’s form had already left their supporters restless. Early signs suggested more frustration was coming, as Alphonse Areola produced a stunning save to deny Neco Williams in the opening exchanges.
Despite Forest’s bright start, it was West Ham who struck first, albeit fortuitously. Tomáš Souček flicked on Crysencio Summerville’s corner at the near post, and Murillo could only divert the ball into his own net. Taty Castellanos then had the chance to double the lead on his West Ham debut, but failed to make contact with Souček’s inviting cross. Forest almost hit back just before half-time, though, when Callum Hudson-Odoi’s curling right-footed effort crashed against the crossbar.
The second half burst into life with a flurry of key moments. West Ham thought they had doubled their lead when Summerville volleyed brilliantly past Matz Sels, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside against Castellanos in the build-up. Forest seized that reprieve, drawing level minutes later as Nicolás Domínguez rose highest to loop a header home from Elliot Anderson’s corner.
Dyche looked to swing the momentum fully in Forest’s favour by introducing January signing Pablo on his debut, but the Brazilian wasted a close-range opportunity. Chances continued to flow at both ends, with Domínguez and Kyle Walker-Peters going close for Forest, while Murillo atoned for his earlier own goal with a superb block to deny Jarrod Bowen.
As the contest edged towards a draw, one final twist decided it. Areola was adjudged to have clattered into Morgan Gibbs-White inside the box, and the Forest midfielder kept his composure from the spot to complete a vital comeback win.
After the game ended, Nottingham forest via its official X handle shared the full time report with the description
Big three points in the capital
The result puts a significant seven-point cushion between Forest and West Ham, who have now managed just two wins in their last 14 Premier League matches. For Forest, it marks a timely end to their losing run and underlines Dyche’s message before kick-off, as focus and fight delivered a priceless victory in a season-defining battle.
