Nottingham Forest had the chance to end August unbeaten in the Premier League, with struggling West Ham the visitors to the City Ground.
Given the visitors’ poor start to the campaign, pundits expected Forest to win comfortably against West Ham to make it two home wins from two to start the season.
However, it was a somewhat cagey first half for the Reds, with Graham Potter happy to allow Forest to have the ball and wait for them to break down the West Ham defence.
The struggles continued into the second half, keeping the visitors in the game to strike a hammer-blow through goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson.
Here are the player ratings from Nottingham Forest’s disastrous 3-0 defeat to West Ham United.
Nottingham Forest player ratings vs West Ham
Matz Sels – 7
A quiet first half for Sels suddenly burst into life as Lucas Paqueta flashed a shot from the edge of the box, which the Belgian was able to acrobatically tip over the bar. He could do nothing about the three goals.
Ola Aina – 6
Quiet enough game for Aina defensively but was comfortable in possession. Struggled to handle Crysencio Summerville when he entered the fray.
Nikola Milenkovic – 5
His usual dominant self against a potentially difficult striker to handle in Niclas Fullkrug. However, the Serbian defender struggled to get to grips with Callum Wilson when he was brought on.
Murillo – 6
Strong on the ball as always, but didn’t show himself in the best light as Wilson’s movement outsmarted him for the third goal.
Neco Williams – 6
The ball seemed to be focused down the left which gave Williams more of a chance to influence the attacking areas, putting some dangerous crosses in before the defensive collapse.
Ibrahim Sangare – 2
Solid showing on the ball but not at his best in the defensive areas, shown when he couldn’t find a tackle to stop Summerville in the buildup to Bowen’s goal before a lazy challenge on the winger to give away a penalty.
Elliot Anderson – 7
Anderson completed the most passes, tackles and won the most duels in the game, a midfield masterclass on the back of his deserved England call-up that wasn’t backed up by his teammates.
Dan Ndoye – 6
Ndoye made some intelligent runs in behind the West Ham defence that led to some of the Reds’ best moments in the first half, but couldn’t create a meaningful opportunity before being replaced by James McAtee.
Morgan Gibbs-White – 3
Not his best showing in a game that was perhaps a sign of things to come this season at the City Ground especially. Up against a combative West Ham side, the midfield talisman was untidy at times when the Reds needed a more precise touch.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7
Albeit not always the most accurate, Hudson-Odoi’s constant efforts to create for Forest were admirable. Whether being asked to chase balls down the line or burst past his marker he was a constant threat while others struggled.
Chris Wood – 5
Wood didn’t have the most to work with before being subbed off, but at the start of the second half he had an opportunity he may look back on with regret. A clever ball from Hudson-Odoi found Wood in acres of space six yards out, only to produce a tame header into the keeper’s grasp.
Substitutes
James McAtee – 6
Strong showing from the new man after coming on just before the hour mark. His passing was crisp and accurate from the right to help Forest make inroads into the West Ham box.
Igor Jesus – 5
Similar issues to Wood, Igor Jesus wasn’t provided with much service up front.
Omari Hutchinson – N/A
Arnaud Kalimuendo – N/A
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