West Ham suffer ninth home defeat, as Nottingham Forest close in on Champions League place

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest ran out narrow winners of this hotly contested game against West Ham at the London Stadium. The game marked West Ham's ninth home defeat, whilst the victory saw Nottingham Forest strengthen their bid for Champions League football next season. The home side should have been a goal up, after a couple of minutes, Tomas Soucek seeing his header, from Vladimir Coufal's cross, pushed over by Matz Sels. Morgan Gibbs-White then found himself free on the edge of the six yard box but Alphonse Areola pulled off a great save at point blank range. A matter of minutes later Areola inexplicably, under no pressure passed the ball straight out to Gibbs-White who wasn't going to waste a second chance. He blasted home. This passage of play in many ways typified West Ham's season. Chris Wood could then have doubled the lead but saw his header hit the post. Mohammed Kudus then headed over, receiving a cross from the left. After the break, Coufal, keen to score in his final game for the club, gathered a cross from Kudus, but his volley went narrowly over. West Ham then gifted another soft goal. Jean-Clair Todibo committed a needless foul down on the right. The resulting free kick from Anthony Elanga saw Nikola Milenkovic glance home a header . The goal was confirmed, after a six minute VAR deliberation. West Ham pulled back a late goal, when Jarrod Bowen controlled a nod out from defender Morato and fired home on the volley. Niclas Fullkrug then saw his last gasp header pushed out by Sels. Referee Sam Barrett added 11 minutes injury time during which the game threatened to boil over. At times Barrett seemed to have totally lost control. But Forest held on for the points. West Ham head coach, Graham Potter admitted his players tried but fell short. "There are some big decisions in the summer to take the club forward. Time to adjust the squad and time with the players," said Potter, who paid tribute to the four players - Coufal, Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Danny Ings - who are set to leave the club. Nottingham Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, was pleased with the result that was dedicated to, Taiwo Awiniyi, who was seriously injured last week. The manager now hopes to " conjure something magical" for the final game of the season against Chelsea, that could secure Champions League football at the City Ground next season. West Ham hope to emulate Forest's recent progression in the Premier League next season.