West Ham United 1-2 Nottingham Forest Player Ratings: Nuno Espirito Santo's Men Earn Gritty Win Over Erratic Hammers To Keep UCL Dreams Alive

Nottingham Forest were able to fight their way to earn a 2-1 win over West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday, 18 May 2025. Nottingham Forest scored two goals in either half or Jarrod Bowen's late screamer wasn't able to help the Hammers get any point. The West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest Player Ratings shows how the action unraveled.

The Hammers began the game in fiery fashion and almost took the lead in the second minute, but Tomas Soucek saw a powerful header expertly denied by Matz Sels. Nottingham Forest, however, bounced back to push at the hosts. They had a huge chance in the 5th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White received the ball inside the box, but his attempt was brilliantly denied by Alphonso Areola. The French goalkeeper also saved Elliott Anderson's effort a minute later, as well as a driving effort from Gibbs-White in the 9th minute.

However, Areola made a horrific error in the 11th minute by passing the ball to Gibbs-White and allowing him to shoot into an empty net to make it 1-0. The visitors started taking control and frustrating the Hammers with their defensive resolve. Chris Wood had a header hit the post in the 24th minute. Mohammed Kudus was able to get at the end of a chance in the 32nd minute but put a header well wide. The Hammers weren't able to create anything noteworthy after that, heading into the break in a frustrated mood.

The hosts began the second half with positive energy, with an Aaron Cresswell effort going wide in the 47th minute. Vladimir Coufal also had a volley effort go over the bar. However, their spark was defused in the 61st minute when an Anthony Elanga free kick was headed into the goal by Nikola Milenkovic. Despite a lengthy VAR check, the goal was approved! Sels was able to produce another sharp save in the 71st minute to deny Carlos Soler, before Elanga had an effort saved four minutes later. However, West Ham United were able to pull one back in the 86th minute thanks to a super volley from Jarrod Bowen. Nottingham Forest were able to hold their lead to get three points and keep their UEFA Champions League qualification dreams alive, being one point behind the top 5.

Here are our West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest Player Ratings.

West Ham United Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest

GK - Alphonso Areola - 4/10

Areola had a solid start to the game, making a few brilliant saves. Then he undid his good work with a horrific error by gifting the lead to the visitors. His distribution was quite poor too, resulting in many misplaced passes.

RWB - Vladimir Coufal - 7/10

The 32-year-old was an energetic figure on the right. He moved up and down the pitch and stopped a lot of attacks down his side, making three tackles and winning seven duels. Created some chances too but wasn't rewarded.

RCB - Jean-Clair Todibo - 5.5/10

Todibo did a decent job in regaining possession a few times to ruin the opposition's moves. But he was caught in a few awkward areas and failed to really stamp his authority at the back.

CB - Max Kilman - 5.5/10

Kilman wasn't really able to ensure that his backline resisted against the Nottingham Forest counterattacks. Was outwitted by Milenkovic for his goal, but did win a few nice duels.

LCB - Aaron Cresswell - 7/10

Cresswell played his final game for West Ham and looked quite sharp. He kept things quiet in his side with smart positioning and won a few nice challenges before being substituted.

LWB - Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7/10

The Englishman was pretty proactive and commanding in his side. He made a few vital clearances and regained the ball well, not allowing the visitors to create that much through his side.

CM - James Ward-Prowse - 6.5/10

The Englishman was sharp with his movement and helped move the ball forward in smooth fashion. Won quite a few key duels in midfield and helped his side hold their own in the battle.

CM - Guido Rodriguez - 6/10

The 31-year-old was quite energetic in the middle, winning quite a few duels and making some vital clearances. However, he couldn't really stop Forest's movement down his side and couldn't create much going forward.

AM - Tomas Soucek - 5/10

Soucek had a huge chance early on but saw his powerful header saved well. Faded out as the game went on, being unable to create or do much after that, causing him to be substituted.

CF - Mohammed Kudus - 6/10

Kudus troubled the visitors with his sharp movement and application in the final third. Had a header attempt go wide, but created a few nice chances with his delivery from the wide areas.

CF - Jarrod Bowen - 7/10

Bowen struggled for the majority of the game. Couldn't really create any big chances, but popped up with a fantastic volley to get one back for his side.

SUB - Niklas Fulkrug - 5.5/10

Failed to really make a major impact up-front. Couldn't get at the end of anything special or get shots on goal.

SUB - Lucas Paqueta - 5/10

Paqueta was a frustrated figure after coming on. Made too many fouls, got booked and lacked any real spark.

SUB - Edson Alvarez - 6/10

Added some more steel to his side's midfield, winning duels in key areas. Helped move them forward nicely.

SUB - Carlos Soler - 6.5/10

Soler was a breath of fresh air after coming on. He created a number of chances with his smart delivery and also had a nice scoring attempt saved well.

SUB - Luis Guilherme - 6/10

Had a big chance after coming on, but saw a goal bound shot blocked well.

Manager - Graham Potter - 4.5/10

Potter took a few risks in the game, which really didn't work out. Soucek failed in that attacking midfield role and Jarrod Bowen struggled up-front. His side struggled against counter-attacks and set-pieces. Potter's substitutions failed to impress either, causing a dismal loss.

Nottingham Forest Player Ratings vs West Ham United

GK - Matz Sels - 7/10

The Belgian goalkeeper was a rock in between the posts for his side. Made a brilliant save to deny Soucek early on and followed that up with a few more impressive saves to frustrate the hosts. Couldn't do much about Bowen's super strike.

RB - Ola Aina - 6.5/10

Aina was pretty solid in his side, not allowing the hosts to overpower him to create everything through his side. He regained possession quite a few times and also made some important clearances.

CB - Nikola Milenkovic - 8/10

Milenkovic added like a leader in the Nottingham Forest backline with his commanding nature. He made six clearances and won six duels, thwarting a lot of the Hammers' threat. Then scored a clever header to cap off a superb display.

CB - Murillo - 7/10

The 22-year-old was proactive and sturdy with his work. He tracked the Hammers' movement well and came up with some solid challenges, making a number of clearances and winning duels. Shaked off an injury to power his way to an admirable display.

LB - Neco Williams - 8/10

The 24-year-old was an absolute livewire on the left. He didn't come under pressure from West Ham's movement down his side and won most of what they threw at him. He made seven tackles and won 12 duels, showcasing admirable resiliency.

CM - Ibrahima Sangare - 6/10

The 27-year-old was a proactive and reliable figure in front of the backline. Came up with some vital possession recoveries and clearances to frustrate the Hammers and moved the ball along efficiently.

CM - Elliott Anderson - 6/10

Anderson did a pretty slick job in moving the ball forward nicely and was an energetic figure with his pressing. He won quite a few tackles and duels but lacked that extra creative spark.

CM - Nicolas Dominguez - 7/10

The 26-year-old was a gritty and tenacious figure in the midfield, covering a lot of ground to ruin West Ham's attacks. He made a lot of key clearances and possession recoveries to frustrate the Hammers and help his side's backline.

AM - Morgan Gibbs-White - 7.5/10

Gibbs-White was able to get in the right places at perfect moments to add that extra spark. Took a gift perfectly to score the opener and then created a few nice chances with his smart delivery too.

LW - Anthony Elanga - 7.5/10

Elanga was a menacing figure on the counterattacks, using his pace and acceleration to trouble them. Moved the ball forward nicely and then struck a menacing free kick to assist the second goal.

CF - Chris Wood - 6/10

Wood troubled the defenders with his physicality and link-up play. He moved his side forward nicely with his link-up style and was unlucky to see an effort hit the post in the first half.

SUB - Morato - 5/10

Couldn't clear the ball well enough for Bowen's goal, allowing him to get that volley in from close range. Picked up a late booking too.

SUB - Danilo - 6/10

Helped move the ball forward well after coming on and helped his side get the job done.

SUB - Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6/10

Hudson-Odoi showed some nice forward movement on the counterattacks and saw a shooting effort go wide.

SUB - Jota Silva - N/R

Came on for the last few minutes.

SUB - Ryan Yates - N/R

Added some nice energy levels and helped his side get the job done.

Manager - Nuno Espirito Santo - 7.5/10

The Portuguese gaffer shaped up his side pretty well to maintain a sturdy shape and fend off most of what West Ham threw at them. His players were primed on counterattacks and their smart pressing allowed the first goal too. Some smart game-management allowed them to get the job done.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Nikola Milenkovic.