Nottingham Forest, eager to build momentum, suffered a brutal 3-0 defeat at home against West Ham United. The match, seemingly headed for a goalless draw, exploded with three late goals, leaving Forest reeling and the Hammers celebrating a significant away victory.
Chances were scarce throughout the match, but West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock with a composed finish in the 84th minute. This opened the floodgates, as Lucas Paqueta converted a penalty just four minutes later. Paqueta's celebration was particularly noteworthy, given the swirling rumors linking him with a move to Aston Villa.
Callum Wilson sealed the victory in added time, heading home to send the traveling West Ham supporters into raptures. The win marks West Ham's first Premier League victory of the season, providing a much-needed boost after a difficult start. The timing of the international break might be unfortunate for the Hammers, as they'll be looking to build on this momentum when league play resumes.
Forest, despite a promising 3-1 win against Brentford earlier in the season, have struggled for consistency. Their performance was far from convincing, and the late collapse raises serious questions about their resilience and defensive organization. The pressure is mounting on Nuno Espirito Santo to turn things around quickly.
Here's a deeper dive into the key talking points from West Ham's surprising triumph at the City Ground:
West Ham Finally Finds Its Rhythm
West Ham's season began disastrously, with a 3-0 loss to Sunderland in a preseason friendly on August 16th and an infamous 5-1 defeat against Chelsea. Pressure was mounting on Graham Potter, and an early exit from the EFL Cup after a 3-2 loss to Wolves compounded their woes. Before this match, West Ham had lost all three of their competitive matches, conceding 11 goals while scoring only 3.
However, against the odds, West Ham displayed grit and determination at the City Ground. This victory could be a turning point for their season, providing a platform for future success. With the transfer window set to close, West Ham will be looking to add further reinforcements to their squad. This win gives them a positive foundation to build upon after the international break.
A Forest Nightmare
Nottingham Forest began their campaign with a 3-1 victory against Brentford on August 17th. However, their form has dipped dramatically since then, raising concerns about their ability to compete consistently. The defeat against West Ham exposed defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of composure under pressure. Nuno Espirito Santo faces significant challenges in restoring confidence and stability to the team.
Santo's relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly become strained, adding to the pressure on the manager. The team's poor form extends beyond this match, with Forest failing to win any of their seven pre-season games. They've managed only two wins in their last nine Premier League games, highlighting a worrying trend of inconsistency.
Paqueta Takes Center Stage
While Matheus Fernandes made his West Ham debut after a reported £40million move from Southampton, Lucas Paqueta stole the show. Despite reports linking him with a move to Aston Villa, Paqueta delivered a stellar performance in midfield.
Rumors circulated that Paqueta had told Potter he did not want to play. However, he showed his commitment by converting a penalty in the 88th minute. His celebration – making a phone gesture, throwing it over his shoulder, and kissing the West Ham badge – seemed to be a clear message of his dedication to the club.
With the transfer window closing soon, Paqueta's future remains uncertain. His performance against Forest will undoubtedly attract further attention, and it remains to be seen whether he will stay at West Ham beyond the deadline.
Match Report
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood
Subs: McAtee, Jesus, Hutchinson, Kalimuendo
West Ham: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Fernandes, Bowen, Paqueta, Fulkrug
Subs: Wilson, Summerville, Irving
Goals: Bowen (84’), Paqueta (88’ P), Wilson (90+1’)
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Craig Pawson
