Morgan Gibbs-White’s late penalty secured a vital 2-1 victory for Nottingham Forest over West Ham United, intensifying the relegation fears for the Hammers. The match, held at the London Stadium, saw Forest capitalize on controversial VAR decisions, leaving West Ham in a precarious position.
The game began with West Ham taking an early lead due to an own goal by Forest’s Murillo. However, the Hammers’ hopes were dashed when Crysencio Summerville’s goal was disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside. Forest then mounted a comeback, with Nicolas Dominguez equalizing before Gibbs-White’s decisive penalty, awarded after another VAR review, sealed the win.
West Ham’s Relegation Woes
This defeat leaves West Ham in a dire situation, sitting third-bottom in the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety with 17 matches remaining. The loss follows a string of poor performances, including a 3-0 defeat to Wolves, which manager Nuno Espirito Santo described as the worst of his career. The pressure mounts on Nuno, who is facing calls for his dismissal after failing to secure a win in ten consecutive games.
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green commented on the situation, stating,
“I don’t see Nuno staying. I just can’t see how you can go this long without winning a game. Tonight wasn’t the worst performance by a long shot, it wasn’t, and they still didn’t get a result. It’s heart-breaking but I don’t see another answer.”
Forest’s Resurgence Under Dyche
For Nottingham Forest, the victory marks a significant step in their fight against relegation. Since Sean Dyche took over as manager, replacing Nuno in September, Forest has shown signs of improvement. This win ends a run of four consecutive defeats and boosts their chances of survival in the top flight.
Nuno’s tenure at Forest was marked by success, leading the team to their first European competition in decades. However, his departure followed disagreements with the club’s owner over transfer policies. His current stint at West Ham has been less fruitful, with the team averaging fewer points per game than under his predecessor, Graham Potter.
Controversial Decisions and Reactions
The match was marred by controversial VAR decisions. West Ham’s disallowed goal and the penalty awarded to Forest were both subject to scrutiny. West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek expressed his frustration, labeling the penalty decision a “joke”.
Soucek told Sky Sports,
“It’s a joke. I just saw it and we would have 20 penalties a game if it’s like that. I came to the Premier League because I thought it was the toughest league in the world. We are all fighters, warriors but this looks more like basketball, you can’t touch the player.”
In contrast, Gibbs-White defended the penalty decision, recounting his experience on the pitch,
“I got whacked in the face. I didn’t have a clue what was going on. Couldn’t breathe.”
The Road Ahead for West Ham
As West Ham grapples with their current form, the future of Nuno Espirito Santo hangs in the balance. The club’s management faces a critical decision: whether to maintain faith in Nuno’s leadership or seek a change to spark a revival. The next few matches will be crucial in determining their fate in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest will aim to build on this victory and continue their upward trajectory under Dyche’s guidance. With the relegation battle heating up, both teams face a challenging path ahead as they strive to secure their Premier League status.
