West Ham strike late to stun Forest with three goals in seven minutes

West Ham stormed to their first Premier League win of the season with a remarkable late show at the City Ground, scoring three times in the final seven minutes to beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Super Sunday.

After back-to-back defeats in which they conceded eight goals, Graham Potter’s side looked set for a nervy but valuable first point, having kept Forest at bay with a disciplined defensive display.

But the match flipped dramatically in the closing stages: captain Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock on 84 minutes, Lucas Paquetá coolly converted a penalty four minutes later, and substitute Callum Wilson sealed the win with his first goal for the club in stoppage time.

It was only the second time in Premier League history that a team has gone 1-0 up so late and still won by three or more goals, after Manchester United’s 3-0 win at Everton in October 2002 (first goal in the 86th minute).

Paquetá makes his point amid transfer talk

Paquetá’s celebration was one for the cameras. The Brazilian, linked with a Deadline Day move to Aston Villa, kissed the West Ham badge after doubling the lead from the spot. Afterwards, Potter was bullish about keeping him:

“We’re looking forward to the window shutting and everything going away a little bit. Asked if he’ll stay? Yes, absolutely.”

Tactical switch pays off

Potter’s decision to abandon his back five for a back four gave the Hammers a solid platform. Forest managed just four attempts and an xG of 0.28 in a flat first half – the lowest attacking output in any opening 45 minutes in the Premier League this season.

West Ham’s only clear chance before the break came when debutant Mateus Fernandes set up Paquetá, who forced Matz Sels into a fingertip save. But after withstanding Forest’s pressure – including a deflected Wilson strike that Sels tipped over – West Ham pounced.

Crysencio Summerville, another lively player, crossed for Bowen to guide in the opener, before Sangaré’s foul on the Dutch winger allowed Paquetá to slot in the penalty. Wilson’s towering header from El Hadji Diouf Malick’s lofted cross added gloss to the scoreline.

Reaction

Graham Potter, West Ham manager:

“It was really pleasing for the players. There’s been negativity everywhere because of the results, but the quality and togetherness has always been there. We weren’t fantastic, but we were compact and resilient. Our subs helped us. The players deserve that win today.”

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham captain:

“It means everything. The start was disappointing, but that doesn’t define our season. Today showed that if you keep the ball out of your net and put it in theirs, football is very simple.”

Callum Wilson, West Ham striker:

“The change of shape gave us a platform. If you trust the process, you get your rewards. I’m delighted to get off the mark and for the lads at the back to get a clean sheet after a tough couple of weeks.”

Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest boss:

“First half was balanced but too slow. In the second half we became imbalanced, made mistakes, and West Ham punished us. We lacked urgency and mobility. Today was a bad day, but we bounce back.”

The bigger picture

West Ham’s win lifts pressure off Potter after a shaky start, while Forest are left ruing a wasteful display and late collapse.

The Hammers’ Deadline Day will be dominated by speculation over Paquetá – but if he stays, Potter’s reshaped team already looks like it has the resilience to steady the season.