David Moyes felt the full force of West Ham supporters’ fury as the travelling fans called for their manager to be sacked after another dismal display.
A week after the 6-0 humiliation at home to Arsenal, West Ham’s display at Nottingham Forest was summed up when Kalvin Phillips was sent off for two avoidable bookings in the space of four minutes.
Soon after that, Moyes heard the chants of ‘Sacked in the morning’ and on the cusp of full-time, a banner bearing the words ‘Moyes Out’ appeared in the way end. It was no wonder: Forest had been in poor form before this but were dominant. Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal in first-half stoppage time put them ahead and Nuno Espirito Santo’s men should have been well clear by the time Callum Hudson-Odoi made it two in the closing seconds.
Mail Sport revealed on Monday that talks to extend Moyes’ deal, which will expire in the summer, had been put on ice and there appears little propsect they will be revived after an eighth game without a win in all competitions. Perhaps wisely, Moyes opted not to acknowledge those who had made the journey to the East Midlands, heading down the tunnel at full-time instead.
While this was a welcome boost for Forest’s survival hopes, they will not know how important it will be until they know their punishment for breaking spending rules, with the date for that hearing set to be set next week.
Some West Ham supporters called for David Moyes to be sacked following another poor display
Taiwo Awoniyi broke the deadlock at the City Ground on Saturday in first half stoppage time
West Ham suffered their third defeat on the bounce and are now seven games without a win in all competitions
Despite last weekend’s rout, Moyes made only two changes to his starting XI, with Michail Antonio and Kalvin Phillips replacing Ben Johnson and Tomas Soucek.
West Ham won this fixture 3-2 late last year and should have been hopeful against a side beaten six times at home this season. This atmosphere helped Forest squeeze to survival last term but it has not had the same effect in their second campaign in the top flight.
Yet Forest attacked with purpose and might have taken the lead in the fifth minute. Nuno Tavares eluded Vladimir Coufal on the left and crossed for Anthony Elanga, whose firm volley was blocked by the foot of Alphonse Areola.
At the other end, Mohammed Kudus’ effort from Jarrod Bowen’s cross was way off target as Forest continued to set the pace. Too often their approach work was hurried, though, and they had to wait until the half-hour mark for their next clear chance, when Areola did well to keep out Gibbs-White’s fierce strike on the turn from 15 yards.
West Ham broke immediately and as Forest screamed for a foul when Antonio tussled with Felipe, the West Ham forward charged on goal. He burst into the box but was denied some top-class defensive work from Murillo, who timed his challenge perfectly.
Forest cannot settle until they know their punishment for breaking spending rules, though the travelling supporters had made up their minds. ‘Ten-point deduction, it’s coming for you,’ they crowed but Forest were doing their utmost to put the uncertainty behind them.
After Danilo had fired over from a promising position, Forest took the lead with the final action of the first half. Nayef Aguerd could only head Tavares’ cross to Dominguez, who spotted Awoniyi in space and played a clever ball. Awoniyi held off Aguerd too easily and finished confidently beyond Areola from close range.
Kalvin Phillips was dismissed after two avoidable yellow cards in four second-half minutes
The Hammers have stalled contract talks with the 60-year-old, who was set to receive a new deal until 2026 before their dip in form
Forest continued to push after the break and again they were kept out by Areola, this time with a flying stop from Elanga’s ferocious angled volley. Then Hammers defender Kurt Zouma was booked for a foul on Awoniyi – virtually identical to a challenge he had made on the Nigerian early in the first half, when referee Thomas Bramall did not show a card.
Despite that reprieve, Moyes’ men could not find their rhythm, even when Forest tried to give them a helping hand. Neco Williams’ clumsy lunge close to the area gave free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse his opportunity, but the ball flew into the West Ham fans.
Then Bowen’s effort was too close to Matz Sels and West Ham were nearly punished as Awoniyi headed Hudson-Odoi’s cross a fraction too high.
Awoniyi is a fine Premier League striker except for one crucial detail: he simply cannot stay fit for long enough. Midway through the second half, Forest’s No9 signalled he could not continue and with Chris Wood also injured, Nuno turned to Divock Origi, who Forest tried desperately to move on in January.
Areola kept his team in it once more when he was stationed perfectly to parry Danilo’s sweet volley and soon afterwards West Ham were reduced to 10 men. Booked moments earlier for shoving Dominguez to the floor, Phillips was woefully late on Gibbs-White in centre field and was shown a second yellow.
It was enough for the travelling supporters, who shouted ‘Sacked in the morning!’ at their manager and ‘Boring, boring West Ham’ immediately afterwards. It did not take long for the Forest fans to join in yet while there was only one goal in it, West Ham still had a chance. Maxwel Cornet replaced Antonio and promptly miskicked a volley when unmarked at the far post.
Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi scored for the third Premier League game in a row
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side moved five points clear of the relegation zone thanks to the victory
Forest were turning on the style. Origi’s fabulous back heel allowed Danilo to release Hudson-Odoi and Elanga was just off target in the middle.
Then the moment that sent Nuno wild. Cornet trod on Williams heel as he charged into the box and the Welshman sprawled on the turf. No penalty, said Bramall, and – to general surprise – so did VAR Tim Robinson. Nuno and his staff could not believe it and the Forest boss was booked.
His mood did not improve four minutes from time when Danilo thought he had scrambled in the second but the goal was chalked off for a foul by substitute Ryan Yates. West Ham tried to push again but Elanga should have sealed it on the break, only to fire over from 12 yards. Relief finally came when Hudson-Odoi smashed home Williams’ deflected cross but an uncomfortable few days beckon for Moyes.
