West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest
Premier League, London Stadium, Sunday 12 November 2023, 2pm GMT
Tomáš Souček struck late in the day to secure a frantic comeback 3-2 victory for West Ham United over Nottingham Forest.
A five-goal thriller at London Stadium, packed with ebbs and flows, was kicked into life in the early exchanges when Lucas Paquetá struck home a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area on three minutes.
Forest levelled from close range just before half-time through Taiwo Awoniyi, after Morgan Gibbs-White had his shot saved, before the away side took the lead on 63 minutes thanks to Anthony Elanga.
Jarrod Bowen restored parity just moments after with a well-taken header, his eighth Premier League goal of the season, before Souček completed the turnaround with a trademark headed finish with just two minutes of normal time left to play.
While the chilling grip of early winter encompassed Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off at London Stadium, it took less than three minutes for Paquetá to warm up the Claret and Blue Army with a fantastic finish.
An error from Nicolás Domínguez was pounced upon by the Brazilian, who took a touch before slamming a well-placed effort past Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the bottom corner from outside the area.
The fast start was West Ham United’s quickest Premier League goal in almost three years, when Angelo Ogbonna gave the Irons a second-minute lead at home to Aston Villa on 30 November 2030.
Despite the early dominance from the hosts, Forest went close to levelling on 12 minutes when Harry Toffolo’s cross was met by the free Awoniyi. The striker’s header looked destined for the back of the net only for Areola – voted the winner of the October Premier League Save of the Month – pulled out an outrageous reaction stop to deny the effort.
The Irons should have doubled the advantage midway through the first half when Mohammed Kudus led a counter-charge against a depleted Forest defence. The Ghanaian looked for Paquetá but the pass was lacking, and the No10 could only squirm a low effort into Vlachodimos’ grateful arms.
Still the hosts pressed, with Vladimír Coufal proving a consistent outlet on the right flank for crosses into the Forest area. One such ball was almost reached by Jarrod Bowen, when any contact would have undoubtedly doubled West Ham’s advantage.
For all of West Ham’s good work, a gut punch was struck by Steve Cooper’s side on the stroke of half-time. Ibrahim Sangaré won possession in the centre and played Morgan Gibbs-White into a shooting position. The Forest skipper struck, forcing another immense save from Areola, but attacker Awoniyi was in the right place to level from close range.
There was an added element to West Ham’s attacking intent in first few minutes of the second half, with Bowen jinking his way past Orel Mangala and Toffolo before squaring for Emerson Palmieri; the Italian just failing to connect with the pass.
Moment later Forest counter-attacked through Awoniyi and Elanga, with the duo exchanging passes before the former sent a low effort wide. Emerson saw a fizzing effort agonisingly stretch past the opposite post seconds after that, but it was Forest who would take the lead just after the hour mark.
Right-back Aina was permitted to skip forward. With West Ham’s penalty area crowded with bodies, the defender pulled his cross back into the path of the oncoming Elanga, who swept home a first-time finish.
The Irons were behind for less than two minutes, though, with an additional sense of urgency in each flurry forward. From the very next corner, Ward-Prowse whipped in a trademark sublime delivery. Unmarked in the centre was Bowen, who turned home a header to level the match and claim his eighth Premier League goal of the season.
West Ham’s first came from a Forest error and a third almost presented itself in a similar manner. Aina looked to head an easy ball back for goalkeeper Vlachodimos but the effort was short. Souček stole in but, striking first time, his poked attempt could only find the crossbar.
A huge opportunity for a winning goal occurred with just five minutes to play when Ward-Prowse sent in another delivery, this time from a wide free-kick. Souček timed his run to perfection, diving forward to head the ball goalward, only for Vlachodimos to deny the Czech Republic midfielder with a brilliant stop.
But Souček would not be denied, and the third time would prove to be the charm for the 28-year-old. Ward-Prowse sent in another corner and up went the towering midfielder, finding the bottom corner with a precise finish, prompting the loudest cheer of the afternoon at London Stadium.
There was still time for Forest to test the West Ham defence, and get home hearts racing, with away substitute Divock Origi forcing Areola into another big save.
But the Hammers held on; the three goals essential to securing a huge three points.
West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Zouma ©, Aguerd, Emerson, Álvarez (Antonio 79), Souček, Ward-Prowse, Paquetá (Cresswell 90+9), Kudus (Ogbonna 90+5), Bowen
Subs not used: Fabiański (GK), Mavropanos, Kehrer, Fornals, Benrahma, Ings
Goals: Paquetá 3, Bowen 65, Souček 88
Booked: Coufal, Kudus
Nottingham Forest: Vlachodimos, Aina (Aurier 76), Niakhaté, Murillo (Boly 76), Toffolo, Sangaré (Origi 90), Mangala, Domínguez (Danilo 46), Gibbs-White ©, Awoniyi (Wood 76), Elanga
Subs not used: Turner (GK), Williams, Ayew, Yates
Goals: Awoniyi 44, Elanga 63
Booked: Niakhaté, Elanga
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 62,470
