Nottingham Forest defeated West Ham United at the London Stadium to keep alive the remote prospects of achieving Champions League football next season.
The Reds won 2-1 with Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic scoring the goals to compound a miserable home campaign for the Hammers.
Forest had to withstand some pressure at both ends of the contest but ultimately, this was a performance from the home side that suggested they were already looking forward to sunnier climates on their summer holidays.
After a poor run of form in recent weeks, it was vital that Forest didn’t let their season end with a whimper and there proved to be a number of solid performers in East London this afternoon.
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images
What Chris Wood did that really surprised Les Ferdinand
The first half went in Forest’s favour and after Matz Sels made a brilliant save after just 68 seconds of the game, the Reds claimed control of the match.
Gibbs-White probably should have scored before he actually did and he looked his usual energetic self during the opening 45 minutes.
Forest should have scored more goals in the period of dominance and Wood was guilty of missing two chances, with Ferdinand really shocked at something he did when he raced through one against one.
He said on Sky Sports: “I’m not quite sure why he doesn’t shoot here, he just needs to pull the trigger. Once he’s in that position, I’m just expecting him to shoot and he probably goes with the wrong option considering the goals he’s scored this season.”
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Chris Wood can take great pride in form this season
With Forest frustrated in their efforts to land a striker in both the summer and January, it was always going to be vitally important to keep Wood fit more often than not.
Much like a fine Rioja, Wood has aged superbly well and this campaign has proved to be his best in terms of goals scored, with 20 to his name with just a game remaining in the season.
Wood has been rewarded with a new two-year contract by Forest and he will hope to continue on the goalscoring trail next season, with the Reds playing European football.
Despite being 33-years-old, Wood has been one of the most instrumental players on and off the field this season and long may his current form continue into the next campaign.