West Ham fans unfurl ‘Moyes Out’ banner as Nottingham Forest extend their dire run
Towards the end of another chastening afternoon for West Ham, a “Moyes Out” banner was unfurled in the away end where the majority of supporters had already long departed.
These are increasingly perilous times for David Moyes, whose future as manager is in serious jeopardy after their winless start to the year continued.
It was another excruciating experience, with loan signing Kalvin Phillips sent off after two cautions within two minutes and 56 seconds, as West Ham became the first team since November 5 to fail to score against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Where was the expected response after the 6-0 battering at the hands of Arsenal last weekend? Nowhere to be seen, and the reaction from Moyes’s players to such a humiliation does not suggest the situation will improve quickly.
His job security remains the elephant in the room for the West Ham hierarchy, and for all his past achievements it just does not feel like a happy union.
A new contract appeared a formality after the 2-0 win at Arsenal after Christmas, but eight matches without a win, and last weekend’s thrashing at the hands of Mikel Arteta’s team, have plunged Moyes into deep trouble.
West Ham’s supporters appear completely disillusioned with the malaise. In the second half they seemed to join in with the Forest fans when the chant of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” echoed around the City Ground.
Phillips is also enduring a nightmare start to a supposed new chapter in London. After producing two calamitous errors against Bournemouth and Manchester United, the England international will now be suspended for one match after his dismissal.
The first caution was after a needless push on Forest midfielder Nicolas Dominguez as he prepared to take a free-kick, before he was sent off for fouling Morgan Gibbs-White.
Moyes said: “I thought Kalvin played much better today, he did a lot of good things and I hadn’t actually seen it coming.
“The crowd played a huge part in backing Nottingham Forest, with the referee, and played a part as they always do here.
“I’ve not really spoken to him because when you’re a player you probably don’t want to hear too much, but I thought the biggest thing for him was his performance. It was much improved.
“When you’ve been out and have not played for the best part of a year, possibly everyone needs that little break and the chance to get a few games under their belt.”
While West Ham flounder, this was a crucial, and deserved win for Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo. In truth, the margin of victory could have been even more comfortable.
Every positive result is vital for Forest, with Nuno battling to keep the club in the division while the uncertainty of a possible points deduction hangs over them.
This victory hoisted Forest into 15th place, above Crystal Palace on goal difference, and five points adrift of the relegation zone.
The only disappointment for Nuno was another controversial VAR decision, after Neco Williams fell in the penalty area following a foul by Maxwel Cornet, a West Ham substitute. He was booked for his complaints to referee Thomas Bramall.
Nuno said: “I think the team was well-organised, we felt we were in control of the game.
“It’s the improvement we expect from these players and we did a good job. We have to keep this going and continue.”
On the VAR decision, he said: “I saw the image, it was so clear. Everybody is not understanding what’s going on with VAR. If we see it then why didn’t it give help to the referee.
“Last weekend we were in sorrow after a VAR decision went against us [in the game against Newcastle] but the decisions have to be better.”
Forest had been frustrated after saves by Alphonse Areola from Anthony Elanga and Gibbs-White, but took the lead in added time in the first half.
Dominguez played in a pass towards Taiwo Awoniyi and his fine first touch took him past Nayef Aguerd before the forward placed a shot past Areola.
Phillips’s dismissal allowed Forest to become more dominant and despite their anger over the VAR decision, Callum Hudson-Odoi smashed home the second goal in added time.
