Nottingham Forest 2-0 West Ham United. Nottingham Forest climbed five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and added to the pressure on West Ham United manager David Moyes with a deserved victory at the City Ground.
Taiwo Awoniyi gave the home side the lead just before half-time and Callum Hudson-Odoi made sure of the win in added time when he scored for the third consecutive game.
On-loan midfielder Kalvin Phillips was shown two yellow cards in three minutes midway through the second half as he had another game to forget for West Ham.
Forest move up to 15th while Moyes’ side’s failure to bounce back from the 6-0 defeat against Arsenal last Sunday means they stay eighth.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side went into the game on the back of six defeats in their last seven home matches but took advantage of the opportunity to face a West Ham side chastened by last weekend’s thrashing.
Striker Michail Antonio started for the first time since the middle of November but the Hammers struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
After Phillips’ dismissal, Forest pushed for a second goal and were denied what they thought was a penalty when Maxwel Cornet stood on the ankle of Neco Williams.
Referee Tom Bramall spared Alphonse Areola’s blushes in the 90th minute after he let Danilo’s powerful effort squirm over the line – but Ryan Yates was judged to be offside.
He might have steered the Hammers to a European trophy nine months ago and have them sitting a respectable eighth in the league but West Ham fans are not happy with Moyes.
The London Stadium was half empty at half-time last Sunday as Arsenal went into the break with a 4-0 lead – with two more goals still to come.
West Ham fans travelled to the City Ground hoping for a response but it was tame at best and a ‘Moyes Out’ banner could be seen from the away end.
“What more do you want?” is a question poised to discontented Hammers fans – but it is also true to say they have lost their last three games without scoring a single goal.
Lucas Paqueta’s absence is a significant blow for Moyes but Hammers fans will point to a squad that is stronger than most the club has had and say the Scotsman should be doing more with it.
Moyes will know the home game against Brentford is one he dare not lose.
source – BBC