Nottingham Forest have their first Premier League points of the season after beating West Ham 1-0 at the City Ground through Taiwo Awoniyi's goal in first half stoppage time.
Dean Henderson was excellent in goal and saved a Declan Rice penalty while West Ham also twice hit the underside of the bar.
Forest made a bright start to the game with Neco Williams and Awoniyi at the heart of their best work. O'Brien also had a tremendous in midfield both on and off the ball.
It took 40 minutes for Forest to really test Fabianski in the Hammers goal as Williams slid in to meet Brennan Johnson's flick at the far post. The game changed dramatically in the remaining minutes of the half.
READ MORE: Forest vs West Ham TV channel, highlights and how to follow game
READ MORE: Forest vs West Ham live updates
West Ham thought they had taken the lead two minutes later when Rice found Benrahma, who finished neatly past Henderson. Forest were furious though as Antonio had charged into Mangala in the build-up.
The decision went to VAR and when Michael Salisbury advised on field referee Robert Jones to look at the monitor the decision was inevitable, with the goal chalked off. Forest then took the lead in stoppage time when Harry Toffolo did well to find Jesse Lingard free in the box.
Lingard fluffed his chance with the shot hitting a defender. However, the ball ricocheted into Awoniyi's shin and rolled into the net to spark wild celebrations.
West Ham were within inches of levelling in the first 30 seconds of the second half when Fornals beat Henderson, who sprung up when the ball rebounded off the bar onto the goalline. Quick reactions from Henderson proved essential as he pushed away the follow-up header from Soucek superbly.
VAR came to the fore again when Forest thought they had made it 2-0. Johnson finished brilliantly, but was ruled to be offside by the narrowest of margins. There was another wild period of the game around the hour mark.
First Benrahma's free kick hit the underside of the bar and fell for Henderson, then West Ham won a penalty in the 63rd minute. Forest felt they should have had a free-kick in midfield but when play went on, McKenna dived to block a shot which clearly hit his arm.
VAR intervened and a penalty was given, but Henderson dived to his right to save brilliantly from Rice. McKenna was booked.
Forest had their nervous moments after that with Williams clearing off the line in the last 10 minutes, but they held on to pick up a precious three points after seven minutes added on time.
Here's how we rated the players.
Henderson 9
Wonderful penalty save from Rice and brilliant reactions to push Soucek's header away. Handled and kicked well. A great signing.
Worrall 8
Troubled by pace out wide but marshalled the defence superbly.
Niakhate 8
Got too tight to Antonio at times but otherwise defended well and looks a real threat at set pieces.
McKenna 8
Unlucky that the ball hit him on the arm for penalty. Went on to make a brilliant block from Antonio.
Williams 8.5
Always dangerous going forwards and put some good balls in the box. Great clearance off the line. Could thrive, especially in home games.
Mangala 8
Calm and intelligent in midfield. Looked strong on the ball could be a shrewd signing.
O'Brien 9
Fantastic breaking up play and kept the ball much better than he did at Newcastle. All round top performance.
Toffolo 8
Really good work for the first goal and was determined up against a top player in Jarrod Bowen.
Johnson 8
Really unlucky not to score his first Premier League goal as he was ruled offside by the barest of margins. Energetic throughout.
Lingard 7
Missed a great chance and was lucky to see the ball go in off Awoniyi. His quality was obvious otherwise but looks like he'll benefit from more games.
Awoniyi 8
Very raw but caused problems early on. Faded second half. Goal should be a massive confidence boost.
Subs: Surridge for Awoniyi (72): Did well to win free kicks and run the clock down. 7
Cook for Niakhate (77): On to help see the game out after Niakhate suffered from cramp. 7
Cafu for Mangala (84): Added physicality in midfield late in the game. 6
How did you rate the Forest players? Have your say in the comments section below
READ NEXT
Jesse Lingard makes ‘life changing money’ claim after Nottingham Forest transfer
Keinan Davis sent classy Nottingham Forest message as transfer confirmed
Wolves send clear Morgan Gibbs-White transfer message to Nottingham Forest
'Fantastic' verdict as Nottingham Forest signing gets seal of approval from old fans
Every confirmed Nottingham Forest 2022/23 summer transfer in and out following Kouyaté signing
