Nottingham Forest’s dismal form on the road continued as a second half capitulation saw them thumped 4-0 by West Ham United on a miserable afternoon.
The Reds made the trip to the capital looking to improve their away form, having notched just one win and scored three goals on their travels. They didn’t have too many chances to add to that latter tally and a woeful spell after the break proved costly.
The visitors had to defend solidly at times in the first half, with Keylor Navas flicking away a Jarrod Bowen corner early on. Felipe then breathed a sigh of relief when he deflected Lucas Paqueta’s low effort on to the post, while Navas thwarted Said Benrahma on the half hour.
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Chances at the other end were few and far between as Forest were guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply. Even so, Felipe had a header saved and Morgan Gibbs-White tested Lukasz Fabianski from range.
Just before the whistle, Brennan Johnson felt he should have had a penalty, arguing he was clipped by Ben Johnson in the area. Referee Jarred Gillett waved away the appeals, however, and the teams went in at the break all-square.
Bowen hit the post soon after the restart, while Johnson fired wide at the other end after being played in by Gibbs-White. Renan Lodi felt he should have had a penalty for a handball when his effort was charged down past the hour.
That proved to be something of a turning point. A quickfire Danny Ings double put the hosts in command, then Declan Rice and Michail Antonio rubbed salt in Forest’s very sore wound. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the London Stadium.
Keylor Navas: Made some decent saves in the first half, but won’t be happy with the way the visitors fell apart once the first went in. Wasn’t helped by some poor defending for the goals. Rating: 5/10
Neco Williams: With Serge Aurier’s injury, the Welshman has a big chance in front of him. This was an afternoon to forget for all concerned, though. Forest needed better delivery when he got the ball. Rating: 4.5/10
Joe Worrall: Had been pretty solid in the first half, but the back line was caught napping after the break. Far too easy for West Ham to kill the game off once the first went in. Rating: 4.5/10
Felipe: No doubt the Brazilian will prove to be something of a fans’ favourite with his robust style of defending. The second half capitulation was woeful, though. Rating: 4.5/10
Renan Lodi: Seemed like he had a decent case for a penalty when his shot was charged down. Proved to be a pivotal moment as the game went pear-shaped soon after. Rating: 4.5/10
Remo Freuler: Forest needed better ball retention from their midfield in general. Had a better spell early in the second half, but something needs to change away from home. Rating: 4.5/10
Jack Colback: Deservedly kept his place in the side after last week. If the Reds were going to improve their away goal tally, though, they needed to be more progressive and use the ball better. Rating: 5/10
Jonjo Shelvey: The midfielder is going to be such a key player in the run-in. A few eyebrows raised when he was brought off as he’d been doing well. All fell apart when he went off. Rating: 6/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Had some promising moments and looked like he might force something. A first half effort was comfortable for the goalkeeper, though. Rating: 5.5/10
Brennan Johnson: Perhaps went down a little too easily for the penalty appeal before the break, but it did look like there was contact. Pace caused problems when he got the opportunity, but it didn’t happen often enough. Rating: 5.5/10
Chris Wood: Made a few decent runs, but his teammates just couldn’t get the ball to him. Little opportunity to build on his first goal from last weekend. Rating: 5/10
Subs
Andre Ayew (on for Shelvey, 67mins): Never really looked like being able to help the Reds get into the game. Rating: 5.5/10
Jesse Lingard (for Wood, 77mins): Entered the pitch to boos from the home fans. Not the return he would have wanted, back at his old club. Rating: 5.5/10
Harry Toffolo (for Lodi, 77mins): An afternoon to forget for the visitors. This one was utterly miserable. Rating: 5.5/10
Sam Surridge (for Johnson, 86mins): Game was already gone when he came on. Tough to have any kind of impact. Rating: 5.5/10
Subs not used: Hennessey, Mangala, Dennis, Danilo, Scarpa.
Who was your Forest man of the match? Have your say in the comments below
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