West Ham United saw off Nottingham Forest to claim a 2-1 win this afternoon, with both goals coming from Mark Noble penalties.
The first-half began with West Ham taking the game to Forest, creating a few chances that were defended well. Forest's Jonathan Greening misjudged a diagonal ball from Mark Noble, allowing Julien Faubert to get behind him before Guy Moussi cleared the cross.
Marcus Tudgay side-footed over the crossbar from ten yards out after a corner from Lewis McGugan. West Ham still looked likely to get a goal but Forest pressed themselves and McGugan was involved again. The midfielder sent the ball across to Anderson, who was stopped from getting a shot in from two yards out by a block from Faubert.
West Ham won a controversial penalty at the very end of the second half when Collison crossed and the ball hit the back of Moussi's arm. Forest players and staff protested against the decision fiercely, but Noble confidently stepped up and blasted the penalty into the top corner to give the Hammers a 1-0 lead.
A positive start from both sides led to early chances as both looked to get something from the game. Forest came close after a powerful run by Gunter, whose shot produced a great save from Robert Green.
West Ham piled on the pressure and Henri Lansbury forced Lee Camp to pull off a spectacular one-handed save.
A second penalty was given to West Ham in the 63rd minute for hand ball by Gunter. Noble sent Camp the wrong way and put the ball low into the corner for his second of the game.
Forest got a consolation goal late in stoppage time when McGugan sent the ball flying past Green from 25 yards out.
West Ham had complete control of the game after the penalty and saw the game out to secure the win.
Sam Hughes
