Graham Potter, Nuno Espirito Santo
(Credit: Imago)
Keith Hackett
Mon 19 May 2025 7:10, UK
West Ham United were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest in a highly charged final Premier League match of the season at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen struck late to set up a tense finale after Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic had put Forest two goals ahead.
Milenkovic’s goal was allowed to stand after a farcical six-minute VAR delay, which has led to calls for a Premier League rule change.
West Ham pushed hard for a late leveller but it was not to be as Graham Potter’s men suffered another home defeat.
Jarrod Bowen
Bowen was on target for West Ham against Nottingham Forest (Credit: Imago)
Keith Hackett speaks out as matters boil over at London Stadium
The first 80 minutes or so of the contest were rather bland, but the final 20 minutes – including additional time – could not have been more different as West Ham went all out.
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Matters boiled over on a couple of occasions in the final stages of the match, with referee Sam Barrott issuing yellows cards to players and also members of the coaching staff.
And in the view of former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, the second of the mass confrontations will land the Hammers and Forest in hot water.
“This mass confrontation will certainly result in a charge to both clubs for failing to control their players,” he said.
“It was a testing time for the referee Sam Barrott, and he will on review of his performance learn a considerable amount. He maintained his composure where players around d him were losing theirs.”
West Ham Nottingham Forest
Shots 16 10
Shots on target 5 5
Possession 61% 39%
Passes 494 324
West Ham suffered defeat against Nottingham Forest
Hackett added: “The surrounding of match officials must stop and this should result in a Special Incident report to the authorities.
“The size of the fine will depend on previous record.”
West Ham can expect an FA fine (Credit: Imago)
West Ham fall short against Nottingham Forest
Potter said ahead of the game that he does not expect to make mass changes to his West Ham squad this summer.
However, on the basis of what has been seen over the past nine months or so, at least a handful of new recruits would be welcome.
West Ham have endured a dismal campaign and thankfully there is only one more match – away at Ipswich Town next weekend – left to come.
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