Nottingham Forest 1-0 West Ham: Key talking points as Forest enjoy ground party in town

23 years after they last appeared in the top flight at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest earned a famous 1-0 win at home to West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

Backed by vocal and emotional support at home, Taiwo Awoniyi's first-half ricochet effort helped Steve Cooper's side secure their first Premier League points on the board.

On the other hand, with England international Declan Rice missing from the penalty spot just after the hour mark, West Ham will feel like they have missed a golden opportunity.

Watching both Pablo Fornals and Said Benrhama hit the woodwork with a pair of long-range efforts, the Hammers failed to put aside a string of golden chances.

In what was a pleasant affair on Sunday afternoon, we took a look at the main talking points.

A dream comeback from City Ground for Forest

Having marked their long-awaited return to the Premier League earlier in the year, Sunday's showdown at the City Ground was still likely to be an emotional affair for Forest fans.

Opening the 2022/23 campaign with a 2-0 away defeat at Newcastle last weekend, Cooper's side managed to find an immediate answer here.

While the former European champions might have felt a bit lucky to come away with maximum points, the former Swansea boss has given his side a platform to build on.

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Embracing what has been a real squad overhaul this summer, Forest are simply aiming to try and extend their Premier League status this season.

With an eye-catching scalp here courtesy of their 1-0 win over last season's Europa League semi-finalists, Sunday's display will be remembered as one of the most iconic in their recent history.

With their first points now on the board, Cooper's men will next be seen when they travel to Goodison Park on August 20.

Moyes struggles continue

After reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League last season, David Moyes made it clear over the summer that he was desperate to capitalize on West Ham's recent success.

However, having opened the 2022/23 campaign with a deserved 2-0 loss at home to defending champions Manchester City, the Hammers feel like a side in search of a boost essential.

Missing a string of golden chances here and seeing Benrhama's first-half goal ruled out by VAR due to a controversial foul from Michail Antonio in the build-up, Moyes' squad depth is still a major problem.

Unable to fill his bench with substitutes and with only one fit centre-back in his squad, the former Manchester United boss will find increasing pressure on his shoulders.

Still with one of the smallest teams in the Premier League, the arrivals of Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet do not address all the issues Moyes needs to address.

Looking for a new left-back, central midfielder, winger and centre-half, time is really starting to turn for European hopefuls.

Another hectic week for Forest?

While it may be West Ham who desperately need new arrivals before the transfer window closes on September 1, Forst has had a remarkable summer at the City Ground.

As well as announcing the arrivals of Cheikhou Kouyaté, Remo Freuler and Emmanuel Dennis from Watford ahead of Sunday's showdown, Cooper's men welcomed 15 new faces this summer.

Looking at club-record signing Awoniyi scoring Forest's first goal of the season here after an £18.5m move from Union Berlin, it doesn't look like Forest are done yet.< /p>

With a side almost completely different from their final play-off success against Huddersfield in May, we could be in for another eventful week at the City Ground.

As it looks likely Brighton striker Neal Maupay will make the £15million move, Cooper's side are also closing in on a superb swoop for the playmaker Lyonnais, Houssem Aouar.

Match Report:

Nottingham Forest: Henderson, Worrall, Niakhate, McKenna, Williams, Mangala, O'Brien, Toffolo, Lingard, Johnson, Awoniyi

Subs: Cook, Cafu, Surridge

West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Zouma, Johnson, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio

Substitutes: Scamacca, Lanzini, Cornet

Goals: Awoniyi 45+2′

Yellow cards: Nottingham Forest: Henderson, McKenna, Surridge – West Ham: Rice

Red cards: N/A

Referee: Robert Jones