Matthew Upson could hardly believe what he was seeing as West Ham United scored three goals in seven minutes, through Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson, against Nottingham Forest.
In a remarkable conclusion to a game which appeared destined to end in a tense goalless draw, it was the Hammers’ turn to run riot.
Graham Potter’s side conceded three times in 32 minutes against Sunderland, five in 43 against Chelsea, and two in three when Jorgen Strand Larsen fired Wolves into the second round of the Carabao Cup with a blink-and-you-miss-it brace in midweek.
A shellshocked Nottingham Forest were given a dose of West Ham United’s medicine, then, as a 0-0 scoreline became a 3-0 away win in about as much time as it takes to empty a dishwasher.
On an afternoon in which £40 million Mateus Fernandes thrived on his Hammers debut, Jarrod Bowen curled home a gorgeous opener with 84 minutes on the clock. Lucas Paqueta then slotted home a penalty on 88, before Callum Wilson opened his account in stoppage time in front of a delighted Matthew Upson.
Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson celebrate during Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Premier League
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Matthew Upson hails ‘world-class Jarrod Bowen as West Ham United stun Nottingham Forest
Upson, who played 131 Premier League matches in claret and blue from 2007 to 2011, went as far as to describe Bowen’s moment of inspiration as a ‘world-class’ finish from a footballer with a long history of pulling rabbits out of hats.
As substitute Crysencio Summerville drove forward – and what an impact he made, by the way, on his first appearance since January – Bowen whipped an unstoppable first-time finish inside Matz Sels’ right-hand post.
“What a finish,” Upson said during his position in the Sky Sports commentary gantry. “Fantastic. First-time, left foot, the ball absolutely fizzes into that bottom corner.
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“That is great vision. He’s on the half turn, he knows exactly where the goal is, and look at the precision. It really is world-class. To know your surroundings well enough… he almost hits it without looking!”
The stampeding Summerville then drew a foul from Ibrahim Sangare before Paqueta sent Sels the wrong way from the spot and all-but secured the visitor’s first win of the season at the fourth time of asking.
West Ham held talks with Nottingham Forest about a potential loan deal for Sangare last week. A deal they may now have few plans of re-visiting on deadline day, especially after Graham Potter welcomed Soungoutou Magassa to the London Stadium on Friday.
🚨💣 Understand Aston Villa are closing in on Lucas Paquetá deal with West Ham!
£47m package including loan fee, obligation to buy and add-ons.
Paquetá has accepted #AVFC move, keen on project and ready to join.
Here we go, expected soon. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/SS8Nzq3Sxv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2025
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Aston Villa are ‘closing in’ on Lucas Paqueta, meanwhile, according to Fabrizio Romano. This, then, could prove to be a victorious departure on a day when another couple of Hammers really announced themselves as a key part of the club’s future.
Matthew Upson during West Ham United v Everton - Premier League
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Callum Wilson and Crysencio Summerville make a stunning City Ground impact
El Hadji Malick Diouf was terrific at both ends of the pitch at the City Ground. A trademark Diouf cross made Callum Wilson’s 91st minute header something of a formality, though the veteran hitman still had to beat the excellent Sels between the sticks.
After another underwhelming Niclas Fullkrug display, Wilson could not have performed a more impressive audition as he looks for a first Hammers start.
“I said this guy [Summerville] was a livewire and he’s certainly proven that,” Upson added after watching the former Leeds winger bamboozle Sangare.
“[For West Ham’s third goal], the ball into the box is absolutely spot on, over the head of Murillo. The flight is perfect and the contact from Wilson, who has been brilliant since coming on. He’s really had an impact on the game.
“I didn’t know what to expect but it wasn’t this! A really measured, solid performance.”