Nottingham Forest have been without Premier League football at the City Ground for 23 years, but Sunday saw the return of Premier league football to the red side of the Trent.
It was a memorable day for Nottingham Forest who beat West Ham 1-0, thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s first Premier League goal.
After a disappointing result for both sides in the first gameweek of the season, both managers were keen to get up and running with their first points of the season.
For West Ham, David Moyes will be disappointed with his sides start to the season with West ham one of three teams yet to get a point on the table.
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
Dean Henderson – 9/10
The on-loan goalkeeper was Forest’s hero as he saved Declan Rice’s penalty. Made some key saves, most notably stopping Tomás Soucek. He will be key to Nottingham Forest’s survival this season.
Scott Mckenna – 6/10
Was lucky to see the penalty he gave away saved by Dean Henderson. Also, lucky to not see red after blocking a shot with his arm.
Moussa Niakhate – 7/10
Looks an astute signing, rarely looked troubled and kept Antonio quiet.
Joe Worrall – 8/10
The Forest fan didn’t lose his head on an historic day for the club. Played with poise and commanded his team to an important three points.
Neco Williams – 8/10
Tough task replacing Djed Spence, but Forest have recruited well and look to have a good player on their hands. Big clearance off the line after Kurt Zouma’s header looked destined for the back of the net.
Lewis O’Brien – 9/10
Went about his business quietly, but competently. Goes under the radar, but his work is hugely important for this Nottingham Forest side.
Orel Mangala – 8/10
Sprayed the ball about all game, some will say he was fortunate to get away with the coming together in the lead up to West Ham’s disallowed goal.
Harry Toffolo – 8/10
Great work in the build-up to Forest’s goal. Positive running before pulling the ball back to Lingard.
Jesse Lingard – 7/10
Quiet game, but his scuffed shot led to Awoniyi’s goal. Will have games with a bigger impact this season.
Brennan Johnson – 7/10
Ran all game but struggled to get involved. If it wasn’t for VAR, he would have his first Premier League goal, but Johnson was judged to be a couple of inches offside.
Taiwo Awoniyi – 8/10
He will score better Premier League goals this season, but he will remember this one forever. Looks a real presence up front for Forest.
Substitutes
Sam Surridge – 6/10
Didn’t have too much involvement after coming on but pressed hard.
Steve Cook – 7/10
Good experience to have coming on in these situations with Niakhate being forced off with an injury.
Cafu – 6/10
Came on to see the game out and so he did.
West Ham Player Ratings
Lukasz Fabianski – 7/10
Made a good save blocking Williams’ shot in the first half, and a Niakhate header. Didn’t stand much chance with the goal.
Vladimir Coufal – 5/10
Looks a shadow of the player he once was. Struggled against a world class Manchester City attack last weekend but looked out of his depth here aswell. Has not got going yet this season.
Ben Johnson – 6/10
Again, played out of position at centre-half, but had a better performance than last weekend. Didn’t deal with Lingard’s scuffed shot leading to the goal.
Kurt Zouma – 5/10
Unlucky to see his header cleared off the line. But struggled to compete with Awoniyi.
Aaron Cresswell – 6/10
Didn’t have a big impact on the game, struggled to deal with the marauding runs of Neco Williams.
Declan Rice – 5/10
A game to forget for the England international. Two fouls early on meant he was brandished with a yellow card. Was unable to stamp his mark on the midfield. The missed penalty was the icing on the cake of a poor afternoon.
Tomás Soucek – 6/10
His shot won the penalty for West Ham and was one of a couple half-chances, but him and Rice struggled with the classy midfield of O’Brien and Mangala. Should really have done better with his header after Fornals hit the bar.
Saïd Benrahma – 7/10
On another day his goal stands and it is a different game. Looked threatening all game and was inches away from a stunning free kick, but the crossbar stood in his way.
Pablo Fornals – 6/10
Another one who rattled the Forest bar with a long-range effort. Dean Henderson has his posts to thank for his clean sheet.
Jarrod Bowen – 5/10
A quiet game for Bowen, which is a rarity, but was controlled by Toffolo.
Michail Antonio – 6/10
The Forest defence managed to keep him at arm’s length. Had half a chance when outmuscling Niakhate and coming in on his left. Before his shot was blocked. Maybe Bowen was the better option who was in space.
Substitutes
Manuel Lanzini – 6/10
Replaced Fornals and much like the player he replaced, struggled to really create anything for the Hammers.
Gianluca Scamacca – 6/10
On for the tiring Antonio, had half a chance when he headed the ball down to a teammate where he may have been better off going for goal himself. Couple of games under his belt and it may have been a different story.
Maxwell Cornet – N/A
Came on for Bowen late on and had no impact.
Player Of The Match
Dean Henderson pips Lewis O'Brien for player of the match. Massive penalty save alongside some big saves. Quickly becoming a cult hero in Nottingham.
