West Ham vs Nottm Forest: Forest Claim Vital Win in Relegation Six-Pointer

Introduction: A Crucial Relegation Battle

West Ham, languishing in 18th place, hosted 17th-placed Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, in what proved to be a defining moment in the Premier League’s relegation battle. Both teams were desperate for points as they battled to avoid relegation from the Premier League, with the match offering a potential six-point swing in the standings.

The Match: Forest Fight Back for Victory

Nottingham Forest erased an early deficit to claim three massive points in the Premier League’s relegation race on Tuesday, as West Ham collapsed in the second half and let their winless run reach 10 games. Forest defender Murillo was charged with the game’s opening goal in the 13th minute, but Dominguez equalized in the 55th and Gibbs-White earned (and scored) the decisive penalty in the 89th, when Alphonse Areola clattered into him during a corner kick.

The result proved devastating for West Ham, who entered the match having failed to win their last nine Premier League matches. Their latest defeat before this match was a 3-0 trouncing at the hands of 20th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, highlighting the depth of their crisis.

The Implications: Deepening Crisis for West Ham

West Ham (18th – 14 points) are now only two points above 19th-place Burnley and could find themselves in the bottom-two, if the Clarets can knock off manager-less Manchester United on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Forest (17th – 21 points) are just one point behind Leeds in 16th and two to Bournemouth in 15th, giving them crucial breathing room in the relegation battle.

The Hammers’ defensive frailties remain a major concern, with the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 41 goals in 20 matches so far this term. For Forest, Sean Dyche’s side snapped their own four-game losing streak, providing vital momentum as they look to climb away from the drop zone. This result could prove pivotal in determining which clubs will be playing Championship football next season.