Latest News

West Ham go into the break with the three points virtually bagged after a stunning exhibition of clinical finishing.

A Luke Chambers own goal plus efforts from Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole - who has been almost unplayable in the opening 45 minutes - have put Sam Allardyce's side firmly in the driving seat in this afernoon's Championship encounter.

However Rob Green still had to be at his very best to deny the home side with two stunning saves before the Hammers roared into a three-goal lead.

The writing was on the wall for the home side as early as the third minute when a Julien Faubert cross caused panic in the Forest defence before eventually being cleared.

That signalled a response from Forest who wasted two good chances to open the scoring. Robbie Findlay nodded wide from just six yards out on 12 minutes before Lewis McGugan missed an easier chance just four minutes later having found himself space before firing wildly over the bar.

Those missed opportunities were always likely to haunt Forest with West Ham beginning to look dangerous in attack. However the breakthrough actually came courtesy of Forest captain Chambers, who inadvertantly turned a Matt Taylor centre into his own net with 21 minutes on the clock.

Just seconds after McGugan had wasted another good chance West Ham went two ahead through captain Kevin Nolan. A Taylor corner from the left found an unmarked James Tomkins at the back post. The centre half's header back towards goal found Nolan, who was left with a simple finish.

As bad as their defending was proving to be, Forest were continuing to cause United problems at the other end. However they continued to squander their best chances and none more so than when Miller, with just Green to beat, passed his effort wide of the post.

They were punished once again when Cole, who had played a prominent role in both of West Ham's goals added a third on 32 minutes as the Irons threatened to run away with the game.

Once again the goal came from a set-piece; Taylor's corner found its way to Joey O'Brien, lurking on the edge of the box. His delivery to the back post was header towards goal by Nolan and Cole was left with a simple finish at the opposite post.

It could have been even worse for the home side had Nolan converted a straightforward chance with four minutes of the half remaining. Having been played in at the back post - and totally unmarked - West Ham's captain screwed his shot wide of the post, with the goal at his mercy.

Forest went into today's game having lost just two of their previous 44 home games; we'll have more for you at the final whistle.

West Ham Utd: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, Collison, Nolan, Taylor, Faubert, Cole.

Subs: Boffin, Faye, Stanislas, Piquionne, Carew.

Goals: Chambers (og 21), Nolan (24), Cole (32).

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Cohen, Majewski, Boateng, Greening, McGugan, Findley, Miller.

Subs: Smith, Lynch, Reid, Derbyshire, Garner.

Referee: Graham Salisbury.

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.