Nottingham Forest 1-0 West Ham United (Awoniyi 45+2’)
Taiwo Awoniyi had the City Ground bouncing like it hasn’t for 23 years as his scrambled first-half goal set Nottingham Forest on course to a well-deserved Premier League victory over lacklustre West Ham.
Summer signing Awoniyi was there to prod home on his full debut for the newly-promoted hosts – finishing a move triggered by the perpetually-dangerous Harry Toffolo.
West Ham had moments earlier seen VAR chalk off Said Benrahma’s opener, with officials ruling Michail Antonio had checked Orel Mangala in the build-up.
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Forest – still without a shirt sponsor – were also denied by the officials at Stockley Park when Brennan Johnson thought he had beaten the offside trap to cooly finish past Lukasz Fabianski.
The hosts, though, held on for a deserved win and celebrated with their sun-seared supporters with gusto at full time.
Nottingham Forest player ratings
Dean Henderson – Sensationally saved Rice’s penalty and blocked Soucek from close range. Was there when Forest needed him. 9/10
Joe Worrall – Handled Antonio alongside Niakhate with ease. A very reliable performance from one of Forest’s most consistent players. 8/10
Moussa Niakhate – Was turned only once by Antonio and had the better of that match-up. Had to come off injured with 11 minutes left. His positioning was key to the defensive solidity Forest showed. 8/10
Scott McKenna – Was lucky not to be sent off for his handball that led to West Ham’s penalty. But played with poise for the majority of the game. 7/10
Neco Williams – Always looking to push forward, he had a glorious chance to score on 40 mins but was well denied. Cleared Zouma’s header off the line late on. 9/10
Orel Mangala – Distributed wonderfully and held fort to the centre of the field. His presence will be vital for Forest this season. 8/10
Lewis O’Brien – Sought to cross regularly, an attacking outlet but also provided exceptional defensive positioning. Disciplined and eager, as is expected for the ex-Huddersfield Town man. 8/10
Harry Toffolo – It was his positive attitude to get on the ball and charge into the box, setting up the game’s only goal. Toffolo looked comfortable against one of the Premier League’s best midfield units. 9/10
Jesse Lingard – Perhaps more quiet than expected but did the defensive discipline as required. 7/10
Brennan Johnson – Was impish all afternoon, flitting wide to stretch away from the West Ham centre-halves. Was unlucky his goal was ruled out. 7/10
Taiwo Awoniyi – Matched up to Zouma and Johnson, the target man Forest needed to get the crowd going. The ball stuck up top all afternoon. Scrambled home the opening goal and deserved the luck. 8/10
Subs:
Sam Sturridge – Ran and ran for the last 20 minutes in the searing heat. 6/10
Steve Cook – Replaced the excellent Niakhate and didn’t really have any trouble beating crosses away. 7/10
Cafu – Came on for Mangala and held fort, tracking the Hammers runs from midfield. 6/10
West Ham player ratings
Lukasz Fabianski – Blocked Williams’ close-range effort on 40 mins, and produced a great save off a Niakhate header. Generally had a good game. 7/10
Aaron Cresswell – Gave his side a glimmer of width but struggled to link up with the Hammers playmakers with any sort of end product. 6/10
Ben Johnson – Didn’t deal with the opening goal but was the better of the two centre-halves during the contest. 6/10
Kurt Zouma – Lost the battle against Awoniyi and was all too often pulled out of position. Had a late header blocked off the line by Williams. 5/10
Vladimir Coufal – Spent most of the time trying to hold shape against the excellent Toffolo and O’Brien. 6/10
Declan Rice – Two fouls in the opening nine minutes earned him an early yellow. Never really commanded the centre of the field as we’re used to seeing. His penalty miss summed up his afternoon. 5/10
Tomas Soucek – Had a couple of first-half chances but his usual solidity alongside Rice was sorely missing. His influence wilted. 6/10
Pablo Fornals – Rattled the crossbar at the start of the second half but laboured against a persistent Forest defensive unit. 6/10
Said Benrahma – Sparked the counter attack and converted only for VAR to rule out his goal. Crushed the crossbar with a free-kick too. A lone threat for the Hammers. 7/10
Jarrod Bowen – Disappointingly quiet for such an influential player. Like Coufal, Toffolo had command of that flank. 6/10
Michail Antonio – A rare afternoon where he was bullied by two defenders who took it in turns to nullify his influence. Swamped all game and caused the foul that ruled out what would have been West Ham’s opener. 5/10
Subs:
Manuel Lanzini – On for Fornals but didn’t provide anything to suggest he would change the result. 6/10
Gianluca Scamacca – Led the line with Antonio hauled off. But had no further luck against the Forest centre-halves. 6/10
Maxwell Cornet – Replaced Bowen late on. N/A
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