Late Morgan Gibbs-White penalty lifts Nottingham Forest to win over troubled West Ham

In a match framed as a survival six-pointer, West Ham appeared to have seized control midway through the contest. An early breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Crysencio Summerville's corner was glanced on by Tomas Soucek and Forest defender Murillo inadvertently headed into his own net. The hosts later thought they had doubled their advantage when Summerville smashed home from close range early in the second half, but VAR ruled the goal out after judging new signing Valentín "Taty" Castellanos offside in the build-up.

That decision proved pivotal. Just four minutes later, Forest hauled themselves level in near-identical fashion to West Ham's opener, with Elliot Anderson's inswinging corner met by Nicolas Domínguez, whose looping header dropped over the line at the far post.

Forest, winless in their previous four matches, then completed the turnaround in dramatic fashion. With four minutes remaining, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola came off his line attempting to punch clear a set-piece but instead struck Gibbs-White in the face. After a VAR review, referee Tony Harrington awarded a penalty, which Gibbs-White confidently converted to secure Forest's first league win in five games.

The defeat leaves West Ham 18th in the table, seven points adrift of Forest in 17th, and extends their winless run to 10 matches. It was their 12th loss in 21 league games, further intensifying scrutiny on head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, who was facing his former club for the first time since his dismissal by Forest earlier in the season.

Despite the setback, Nuno insisted his side are not finished. "There's a big gap, but it's not over," he said. "We keep believing. It's seven points, and there's a lot of football to be played. Everybody will naturally rule us out, but we don't allow that feeling into the dressing room." When questioned about his own future, he added: "It's not about me now. It's about how we react."

Forest had threatened before their comeback, with Callum Hudson-Odoi striking the crossbar and Neco Williams forcing a fine save from Areola. West Ham, meanwhile, handed Castellanos an immediate debut just over 24 hours after completing his move from Lazio, with the Argentine involved early and later denied by a sharp double save from Matz Sels.

As tensions rose late on, Nuno was booked for protesting a decision he felt should have gone his side's way, but it was Forest who kept their composure when it mattered most. The final whistle left the home supporters contemplating the growing possibility of Championship football next season, while Forest climbed out of the bottom three with a result that could prove decisive in the relegation battle. 

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