Nottingham Forest kept alive their hopes of playing Champions League football next season after a 2-1 win at West Ham.
Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring for Forest at the London Stadium in an opener gift-wrapped by the home side. Alphonse Areola’s attempt to play out from the back backfired, as the West Ham goalkeeper passed straight to Gibbs-White who smashed home.
The midfielder celebrated by lifting a shirt showing Taiwo Awoniyi’s name. The Forest forward was placed in an induced coma this week after undergoing urgent surgery for a ruptured intestine sustained after colliding with the post last weekend.
This one’s for you, T. 🩵 pic.twitter.com/0R6vNt2NmJ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 18, 2025
Forest doubled their lead just after the hour. Anthony Elanga’s wicked delivery was flicked on by Nikola Milenkovic, with the goal given after a lengthy VAR check for offside in a packed penalty box.
West Ham set up a nervy finish four minutes from time. Jarrod Bowen’s brilliant flick and volley reduced the deficit, with Forest forced to hold on for 11 minutes of stoppage time. Matz Sels made a fantastic late save from Niclas Fullkrug’s stoppage-time header to ensure Forest returned to the Midlands with the points.
It’s a huge win for Forest, who move within a point of the Champions League places heading into the final weekend. Though their fate is out of their own hands, a final-day showdown with fellow contenders Chelsea at the City Ground can secure Europa League football, at the least, with a win.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo called on his team to ‘enjoy’ their last-day clash, despite the potential implications. He wants Forest to sign off a season that has exceeded all expectations on a positive note.
“It’s great. Let’s enjoy it, it’s going to be a good week for us,” he said to BBC Match of the Day at full-time.
“If we’d thought in the beginning of the season that we’d be playing to play in the Champions League we’d sign it.”
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