Nottingham Forest still dreaming of Champions League after 2-1 win at West Ham United
Nottingham Forest's English midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White throwing a shirt to the fans following the 2-1 English Premier League win over West Ham United at the London Stadium in London on May 18, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
– Nottingham Forest kept alive their hopes of Champions League football next season with a 2-1 English Premier League win at West Ham United on May 18 as goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic kept them in touch with the top five.
Forest are seventh in the table on 65 points from 37 games, one point off the three teams currently placed third to fifth in the Champions League spots and level with Manchester City.
Their last game is at home to Chelsea, who are fourth, on May 25.
Gibbs-White told Sky Sports: 'Chelsea are an incredible team in good form, so we'll have to go back to the drawing board this week and focus on how we want to win that game.
'It's a do or die moment, one last push and we have to give it everything – the fans, the staff and us. We'll be going in wanting three points.'
Gibbs-White settled the visitors' nerves with an early goal after 11 minutes, when he collected a stray pass from West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to fire into an empty net.
Forest kept pressing for a second and were rewarded just past the hour mark as Anthony Elanga's free-kick ended up in the net off the back of Milenkovic, before Jarrod Bowen smashed in a late consolation for 15th-placed West Ham, who have 40 points.
The game had a farcical end with a long video assistant referee (VAR) check due to a technology breakdown, scuffles and time-wasting leading to an additional 17 minutes.
But on the balance of the contest Forest, who have not played in Europe's top club competition since the 1980-81 season, deserved their win.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo told the BBC: 'A lot of stoppage in the game, so we were anxious to get the game finished.
'Until then (the West Ham goal) we were in control. Then the anxiety comes when we allowed the goal and everything is difficult from there. Matz (Sels) did great again, so we're happy...
'It's great. Let's enjoy it, it's going to be a good week for us. If we'd thought in the beginning of the season that we'd be playing to play in the Champions League, we'd sign it.'
Gibbs-White had an early shooting chance from close range that forced an excellent save from Areola, who had to be alert to keep out Chris Wood's stinging drive.
Forest went in front following a stray pass from Areola, who tried to pick out Guido Rodriguez just outside the box but Gibbs-White intercepted and finished into an empty net.
Forest continued to look the brighter side and scored their second after 61 minutes, when Elanga's free kick from the left went into the net off the back of Milenkovic.
Following a six-minute VAR check for offside, the goal was given. The semi-automated offside technology was not available to the VAR, while there were also issues with communications to the on-field officials.
It was an 11th assist of the season for Elanga, which matched the club's Premier League record set by Bryan Roy in 1994-95.
Bowen set up a grandstand finish when his superb volleyed finish rocketed into the net after 86 minutes, with the drama far from over.
West Ham substitute Niclas Fullkrug might have equalised when his powerful header was brilliantly saved by Forest goalkeeper Sels deep into added time.
Earlier on May 18, Everton gave Goodison Park a fitting farewell after Iliman Ndiaye scored twice to hand the home side a 2-0 victory over already-relegated Southampton as the 'Grand Old Lady' hosted its final Premier League game after 133 years.
Everton's win in their penultimate match of the season – but last game at Goodison before moving to a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock – left David Moyes' side 13th on 45 points. Bottom-placed Southampton have 12 points from 37 games.
'This team will be remembered in history as the one who played the last game,' Moyes said.
'It's very special (to be the last one),' Ndiaye added, with the game ball tucked under one arm. 'It means a lot and I wanted to score a hat-trick. Since the day I came in they have been great, I wanted to give the fans a win today.' REUTERS
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