NOTTINGHAM Forest are partying like it’s 1998-1999 – as West Ham lost their way more ways than one.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side recorded a third successive victory – all of them coming with the suspended Forest manager sitting in the stands.
Maybe he should stay there even though his ban is now officially completed
This victory took Forest to third place in the Premier League table – the first time they had reached those lofty heights in 26 years when Dave Bassett was in charge at the City Ground in August 1998.
But this was a statement victory that leaves Forest six points behind leaders Liverpool.
Chris Wood found the net yet again – and the Kiwi striker has now scored eight goals this season.
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He has also netted in his last four league games – as well as scoring for New Zealand in the international break.
But West Ham only have themselves to blame for this after Edson Alvarez was sent off for bringing down Anthony Elanga.
It was his second yellow after being cautioned for pulling back Forest defender Murillo.
But bizarrely, Alvarez seemed to lose his way, as well as his head.
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He walked straight past the tunnel and headed on towards the Trent End before an official told had to tell him to turn back.
Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui must surely be doubly frustrated at Alvarez’s dismissal, considering he did exactly the same thing in the Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool six weeks ago.
The Mexican’s record now reads, five yellows and two reds in seven games.
It could have been worse as Guido Rodriguez was lucky not to be red-carded after going through the back of Morgan Gibbs-White just outside the penalty area after 18 minutes.
He was subbed at half-time as a precaution.
But Forest were on fire and they made the most of playing against ten men after the break.
Wood headed Forest into the lead after 28 minutes when he converted an Alex Moreno cross.
But he summed up the team ethic of Nuno’s squad by clearing off the line from Lucas Paqueta just before the break.
Callum Hudson-Odoi stepped up on the hour to score Forest’s second.
Elliott Anderson made an immediate impact as a sub on the hour, winning a free-kick and using it to set up Hudson-Odoi, whose shot took a deflection off Konstantinos Mavropanos’ head before finding the top corner.
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It was exhibition stuff from Forest – and Ola Aina scored his first goal of the season with a spectacular left-foot drive from 25 yards. Skipper Ryan Yates then had a goal ruled out by VAR
But Forest almost grabbed a fourth with the last kick of the game as sub-Ramon Sosa brought a flying save from Lukasz Fabianski.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
