Credit: Imago
Sun 31 August 2025 16:07, UK Updated Sun 31 August 2025 17:00, UK
West ham left it late to secure their first win of the Premier League season, defeating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground.
Goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson capped off a brilliant West Ham performance as they claimed an unlikely win against Forest.
Having lost first their first two matches, Graham Potter was under immense pressure ahead of this match, yet his tactical change to four at the back proved to be masterful, as West Ham defended compactly throughout.
Bowen opened the scoring with a sweet left-footed strike in the 84th-minute, which was then followed by Paqueta cooly slotting home a penalty, after substitute Crysencio Summerville was taken down by Ibrahim Sangare.
Wilson rounded off the performance by scoring his first goal for West Ham to send the West Ham fans into dreamland.
Credit: ImagoMateus Fernandes impresses on West ham debut
In what was a rather dull affair in the first half, Fernandes performed well on his first appearance for the Hammers.
Fernandes signed for £42m from Southampton, and was excellent when linking up with Lucas Paqueta, who could be set to leave West Ham.
Fernandes created a good chance for Paqueta in the first half, whilst working hard and helping his side maintain a better defensive shape, something they desperately needed.
Stat vs Nottingham ForestFernandesRecoveries7Duels won (per cent)55Pass accuracy (per cent)87Tackles won (per cent)67Mateus Fernandes’ stats against Nottingham Forest (via Fotmob).
After securing their first win of the season, fans can have faith that the Portuguese international will be a success at the club.
Niclas Fullkrug with another lacklustre performance
The 32-year-old has kept his place as West Ham’s starting striker despite the arrival of Wilson.
However, he has failed to score for the club since January, and his fitness is still not at the required level that West Ham’s starting striker should be at.
Against Nottingham Forest, Fullkrug was ineffective, and only had real chance of note, which was comfortably saved by Matz Sels.
In the game, he had:
1/3 shots on targeet7/13 passes completed23 touches
West Ham fans won’t be criticised for thinking they need better quality in their forward areas.
Credit: ImagoWest Ham player ratings vs Nottingham Forest
Mads Hermansen – 7
Kyle Walker-Peters – 7
Konstantinos Mavropanos – 6
Max Kilman – 7
El Hadji Malick Diouf – 6
James Ward-Prowse – 7
Tomas Soucek – 6
Jarrod Bowen – 9
Mateus Fernandes – 8
Lucas Paqueta – 8
Nicolas Fullkrug – 4
Substitutes:
Callum Wilson: 8
Crysencio Summerville: 8
Andy Irving: 6
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