Nottingham Forest 3-0 West Ham: Chris Wood scores again as Nuno Espirito Santo's side move into third
Chris Wood kept up his impressive scoring streak by getting the first goal in Nottingham Forest's 3-0 victory over West Ham United. This win propelled Nottingham Forest into third place for the first time since 1998.
Forest took the lead and headed home after hitting the first shot on target for either team during the match, connecting with a cross from Alex Moreno on the left side (27).
Wood has scored eight times in his last eight games for both club and country, reinforcing his position as a strong contender against Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the competition for the golden boot.
West Ham's struggles in the first half were made even worse when Edson Alvarez received a red card, just moments after Lucas Paqueta nearly scored, only to have his shot cleared off the line.
The midfielder received two yellow cards within just three minutes, resulting in his team being down to ten players. He forced referee Peter Bankes' hand by making a reckless tackle on Anthony Elanga.
Callum Hudson-Odoi played a significant role in the match and finally found the back of the net, scoring a second goal for his team with a well-placed shot from outside the penalty area in the 65th minute.
Forest: Sels (7), Murillo (7), Gibbs-White (7), Wood (8), Hudson-Odoi (9), Dominguez (8), Moreno (8), Elanga (7), Yates (7), Milenkovic (7); Aina (9).
Substitutes: Jota (6), Anderson (6), Awoniyi (Not Applicable).
West Ham Player Ratings: - Fabianski: 5 - Wan-Bissaka: 5 - Todibo: 4 - Mavropanos: 5 - Kilman: 4 - Emerson: 5 - Alvarez: 3 - Rodriguez: 5 - Paqueta: 5 - Summerville: 5 - Bowen: 5
Substitutes: Antonio (5), Soler (5).
Player of the match: Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Ola Aina scored a third goal, which many might consider the best of the match, after taking advantage of a mistake by Jean-Clair Todibo. He blasted the ball into the top left corner, sealing a remarkable win for his team, who are performing exceptionally well.
Nuno: The Top Four Doesn't Matter Anymore
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo:
I believe we should all take pride in how we played. We kicked off the game strong, managed to contain their attacks, and looked good as we moved forward.
"The red card shifted the dynamics completely, but the players knew better than to take it easy. This is what football is all about—an incredible moment for both us and our supporters."
When asked about his aspirations for the season after reaching the top four, Nuno responded, "You know how I am. It’s just ten minutes after the match, and I’m already focused on the next training session."
"It doesn’t matter at this point. We need to move forward since there’s a lengthy season still in front of us. It’s a good moment, but we have to stay focused and continue pushing ahead."
"Why Can't Forest Be Top Four?"
Patrick Rowe from Sky Sports:
Everything is going well for Forest at the moment. Wood has evolved into one of the most formidable forwards in the Premier League, and the team has climbed up to the top three in the standings.
"The possibilities are endless for this team. They have a wealth of talent supporting their impressive striker, which was evident with contributions from Hudson-Odoi, Aina, and the strong players they brought in from the substitutes’ bench."
Nottingham Forest achieved their largest win in the Premier League since they triumphed over Coventry City with a score of 3-0 in August 1996. Additionally, the Tricky Trees will finish the day ranked in the top three of the league for the first time since September 7, 1998.
It would be overly simplistic to dismiss this as a temporary surge in performance. We've witnessed teams like Aston Villa successfully compete for a spot in the Champions League, so why couldn't Forest be the next team to rise to that challenge?
They possess all the essential elements at their disposal and consistently deliver strong performances and outcomes against tough rivals.
The upcoming matches against Newcastle and Arsenal will be vital in figuring out just how far this team can go.
Lopetegui: We Must Improve As A Team
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui:
In the second half, we had to adjust our strategy and focus on how to tackle the game. If we hadn’t conceded that second goal, we might have managed to equalize. It was a challenging evening for us.
"We need to turn this tough time into an opportunity for growth and progress. It's essential for us to improve our competitiveness and maintain greater consistency."
"This is my job. It's all about staying consistent, which is something we really need. We definitely have to improve as a team. We have many talented players, and I'm confident we can achieve more."
"There were times when we could have tied the game. It's important for us to unite now and acknowledge that we can all improve our defense. We need to focus on the next challenge ahead."
West Ham's Ongoing Struggles
Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:
Julen Lopetegui made his third tweak to the team formation this season, reverting to the 3-4-3 setup he previously employed in the 3-0 loss against Chelsea.
At the beginning of the match, it appeared that the trio of Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Konstantinos Mavropanos would effectively neutralize the in-form Wood, as he managed only eight touches in the opening 25 minutes.
Shortly after, Forest took the lead with a goal, and soon after, West Ham found themselves down to ten players, causing the match to slip away from their grasp.
Lopetegui swiftly noted after the match that the outcome shouldn't be blamed only on Alvarez. He emphasized that the entire team needs to improve in every aspect, and he was absolutely correct.
West Ham had a strong start, but things fell apart even before the red card was issued. To avoid a lackluster season that ends with them stuck in the middle of the table—or worse—they need to make improvements in every aspect of their game.
"Right now, they appear to be a group without a clear path forward."
