West Ham United have moved out of the Premier League's relegation zone after sealing a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium.
Two goals in two second half minutes for Danny Ings on his full debut for the Hammers, followed by a stunning effort by Declan Rice and a Michail Antonio header, sealed victory, moving West Ham up to 16th and two points clear of the bottom three.
Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against Forest.
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Lukasz Fabianski
Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had very little to do in the first half, tested only twice via a Felipe looping header and Morgan Gibbs-White's shot from range, meeting with both without too much hassle. Had little to do in the second half but was forced off injured midway through the second half after being caught by the knee of Felipe. 6
Vladimir Coufal
Vladimir Coufal showed good link-up spells down the right side at times with Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek at times. Did okay defensively early on and before the break, was involved in one of West Ham's two big chances, with his cross finding Ings unmarked in the box, who did not make the most of the chance. Came off at half-time. 6
Nayef Aguerd
With a switch to a 4-3-3 and Kurt Zouma still absent with injury, Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd was partnering Angelo Ogbonna in the heart of the back four and playing on the left side. Forced into a couple of interventions in the first half and looked a threat at times when getting forward at set-pieces, showing his usually tidy range of passing. Had very little to do after half-time, but was forced to mop up for one or two errors, which he mopped up very well. 7
Angelo Ogbonna
Despite an error in last weekend's derby day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Ogbonna kept his place at centre-back next to Aguerd. Tried his luck with an early shot from distance which went out for a throw in. Defended well when Forest tried to go direct on the counter attack in the first half. Made a number of key interventions in the second half to allow West Ham to end the game incredibly strongly. Very solid with Aguerd at the back. 7
Ben Johnson
There was a Premier League recall for Ben Johnson after a few pleasing displays off the bench in recent weeks, preferred to Aaron Cresswell, Emerson and Thilo Kehrer in that role. Found himself in a testing battle with Forest's Brennan Johnson, who got the better of him to tee up Gibbs-White's half chance. Used his pace well but could have been more direct with his passing at times. Moved to right-back when Coufal went off and looked more comfortable there, although he still lacked a directness with his intent at times. 6
Tomas Soucek
In central midfield, Tomas Soucek played alongside Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta, one of a small number of players who came out of the Spurs defeat with much credit. Made a number of late runs into the box in the attempt to nod in at crosses. He got close early on when flicking on a corner at the near post, and his run to put off Felipe minutes later led to a Paqueta. Kept the ball moving well as West Ham ended the game so well in the second half, making real runs of intent and punishing Forest with four knockout punches in just 13 minutes. 6
Declan Rice
Fresh with a new haircut for the occasion, Declan Rice led the Hammers out in the hope of guiding them to a return to winning ways. Did well as a midfield screen in the first half, tasked with getting the ball moved forward quickly and intercepting Forest's moves, which he did well in the first half. Forced to make up for an Aaron Cresswell mistake early in the second half, but showed a calming presence, constantly passing it forward and allowing West Ham to break in numbers ahead of him. Took his goal superbly with a curling finish just outside the penalty box, only his second of the season in all competitons. 8
Lucas Paqueta
Having missed last weekend's trip to Tottenham Hotspur with a shoulder injury, Lucas Paqueta was back in the heart of midfield, playing alongside Soucek and Rice. Back on his return from injury, Paqueta looked to be the spark out of the midfield three with clever flicks and passing, also seeing a deflected shot off a half-cleared corner in the first half denied by the post, via Felipe's foot. Some concern briefly before the break after going down holding his shoulder following contact with Jonjo Shelvey, but was okay to continue. Showed his class in the second half, playing incisive through balls, and having a hand in the creativity that allowed West Ham to record their biggest win of the season to date, having seen a second half shot of his at 0-0 narrowly go over. 7
Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen's two previous home appearances in 2023 has seen him score twice against Everton and provide an assist against Chelsea. Ran well at Forest's back line and showed a desire to be direct in the first half, also causing problems with his in-swinging corners, getting the better of Renan Lodi down his side a few times. Had a close chance early in the second half hit the post with his right foot, but played a key role in the opening goal, sticking a low cross in for Ings to put away. Made himself a great option down the right, his second assist in as many home league games. 7
Danny Ings (Star man)
Striker Danny Ings was among the four chances made by Moyes, handing a full debut to Danny Ings up front after four substitute appearances for the club so far. Looked lively and constantly pressing Nottingham Forest's back line, many of his runs and chances did not fall right, either losing or having the ball nicked off him before shooting. Had one golden chance in the first half off Coufal's cross, but Soucek's jump ahead of him put him off, with the ex-Aston Villa man completely miss-timing his effort. Made up for it in the second half with two goals in two minutes, first with a clever finish off Bowen's cross to put West Ham ahead, before kneeing in a Benrahma cross just two minutes after opener. In a game like this, those two goals could prove to be very crucial in the season and will now get a full week's rest, ineligible for Wednesday's trip to Manchester United. 8
Said Benrahma
The final of those four changes saw Said Benrahma return to the side after being benched at Tottenham with West Ham offering a more defensive-minded approach that day, starting on the left of the front three. Showed quick feet and good passing with Paqueta down the left early on. After a quiet first half, Benrahma chipped in with two second half assists in the space of five minutes, running to the byline and crossing for Ings' second before then teeing up Rice for his stunning strike. Now top of assists for the season in all competitions with four. 8
Substitutes
Aaron Cresswell
Left-back Aaron Cresswell teed up Soucek from a corner seconds into the first half, which he steered over. He then got caught out of position on a few occasions, with Rice and Aguerd having to make up for him. Grew in confidence as the goals went in, but really looked to struggle early on. 5
Alphonse Areola
There was just a third Premier League appearance of the season for Alphonse Areola, replacing Fabianski who was forced off midway through the second half after being caught by Felipe's knee. The Frenchman's arrival seemed to be the lucky charm, with West Ham opening the scoring three minutes after he came on. Made one good save late on to deny Remo Freuler. 5
Michail Antonio
On in the final ten minutes to replace Ings, Antonio completed the scoring against his former side, nodding in at the back post off Pablo Fornals' corss. 7
Pablo Fornals
Within minutes of comign in, Fornals' quick feet and cross put Antonio on a plot to get West Ham's fourth goal of the game. 7
Manuel Lanzini
A rare league cameo for Manuel Lanzini, coming on with Fornals and Antonio in a tripl change. 5
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