Nottingham Forest have given themselves a fighting chance to achieve something “magical” thanks to their huge 2-1 win over West Ham United.
Victory in the capital for the Reds keeps them in with a shout of securing a top-five finish with one game to play. Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic moved Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to within one point of the Champions League spots.
It sets up a tasty, and potentially decisive, final-day clash with Chelsea at the City Ground next Sunday. And Forest are in no need of any extra motivation as they dedicated their victory over the Hammers to stricken teammate Taiwo Awoniyi, who is recovering from a serious abdominal injury sustained when he collided with a post against Leicester City last weekend.
“Since the beginning of the preparations, T was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation,” Nuno said. “The boys wanted to do it for T.
“Our final words were to give it a push and a go for T. He is someone we really admire and his smile is contagious.
“We need him. The boys did it for him and we are so proud.
“Since the beginning of the season we wanted to be in this fight (for the Champions League). We achieved it.
“If you had said in the beginning it would be possible, you would have said no. But we are in it and the last game at the City Ground is going to be huge for us. It is trying to achieve something magical.”
The visitors had looked in control at 2-0 up with an hour played. But they had to survive a nervy finale, including 11 minutes of stoppage time, when Jarrod Bowen pulled a goal back late on.
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“We played good. We started well; we were organised and pressing really well. It was open and both goalkeepers had to make fantastic saves,” Nuno said.
“But after that, we were in control and scored a good goal. We started the second half really well and then the game changes. It is another reality of football, the stoppage time, and then it is all about nerves and anxiety trying to finish the game.”
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