BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Nottingham Forest moved up to third in the Premier League (Joe Giddens/PA)
Nottingham Forest soared to their highest league position in 26 years after they beat 10-man West Ham 3-0 at the City Ground.
Goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina saw off a ragged Hammers team, who had Edson Alvarez sent off, to take Forest third in the Premier League.
Not since August 1998, when a 2-1 win over Southampton left Dave Bassett’s side second in the standings, have Forest sat so high.
They ended up being relegated that season but their ambitions are much loftier this time around as they appear to be building something special under Nuno Espirito Santo.
This was their third win in a row and in a season of strange results, they could mount an unlikely top-six challenge.
That already looks impossible for West Ham, who were unable to build on last week’s win over Manchester United, and boss Julen Lopetugui will be under some scrutiny after a less than impressive start to his reign.
They were never in this one as Forest dominated from the first whistle and forged an early opening when Aina and Anthony Elanga combined down the right. The latter teed up Hudson-Odoi but the winger could not get his shot on target.
The hosts continued to dominate and were rewarded with the opener in the 27th minute as Wood continued his hot streak.
Morgan Gibbs-White, back in the side after injury, set Alex Moreno free on the left and the full-back’s dinked cross was nodded home by Wood from six yards.
It was Wood’s 23rd Premier League goal for Forest, which moved him clear of Stan Collymore and just one behind leader Bryan Roy in their all-time list.
The New Zealander proved himself just as important at the other end of the pitch in the first minute of first-half injury time as he protected the lead he had given his side by producing an impressive goalline clearance to deny Lucas Paqueta.
Less than 60 seconds later, West Ham’s plight worsened when Alvarez picked up a second yellow card after a reckless tackle on Elanga.
To make matters worse he had to endure an extended walk of shame as he forgot where the tunnel was and mistakenly walked down to the corner flag.
The Hammers, who almost conceded a second just before the half-time whistle when Nicolas Dominguez poked over, made changes at the break as Michail Antonio came on to provide some presence up top.
