Nottingham Forest 2-0 West Ham: Pressure mounts on David Moyes with calls for him to get the sack after goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi resigned the ten-man Hammers to another defeat

David Moyes felt the full force of West Ham supporters’ anger as traveling fans called for their manager to be sacked after another dismal display.

A week after the 6-0 humiliation at home to Arsenal, West Ham’s performance at Nottingham Forest was summed up when Kalvin Phillips was sent off in four minutes for two avoidable bookings.

Shortly afterwards, Moyes heard chants of ‘Sacked in the Morning’ and on the cusp of full-time, a banner with the words ‘Moyes Out’ appeared at the end of the road. It was no wonder: Forest were in poor form before this, but were dominant. Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal in first-half stoppage time put them ahead and Nuno Espirito Santo’s men should have been well clear by the time Callum Hudson-Odoi made it two in the dying seconds.

Mail Sport revealed on Monday that talks to extend Moyes’ deal, which expires in the summer, had been put on ice and there are few prospects of them being revived after an eighth game without a win in all competitions. Perhaps wisely, Moyes chose not to recognize those who had made the journey to the East Midlands, instead going through the tunnel full-time.

While this was a welcome boost to Forest’s survival hopes, they won’t know how important it will be until they know what the penalty is for breaching the spending rules, with the date for that hearing set for next week.

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Despite last weekend’s defeat, Moyes made just two changes to his starting XI, with Michail Antonio and Kalvin Phillips replacing Ben Johnson and Tomas Soucek.

West Ham won this match 3-2 at the end of last year and should have been hopeful this season against a side that has been beaten six times at home. This atmosphere helped Forest survive last season, but it has not had the same effect in their second campaign in the top flight.

Yet Forest attacked deliberately and might have taken the lead in the fifth minute. Nuno Tavares evaded Vladimir Coufal on the left and crossed to Anthony Elanga, whose solid volley was blocked by the foot of Alphonse Areola.

At the other end, Mohammed Kudus’ effort from Jarrod Bowen’s cross was wide of the target as Forest continued to set the pace. Too often their approach work was rushed and they had to wait until the half-hour for their next clear chance, when Areola did well to keep out Gibbs-White’s fierce strike on the turn from 15 yards.

West Ham broke immediately and with Forest shouting for a foul as Antonio struggled with Felipe, the West Ham striker charged towards goal. He burst into the penalty area but was denied top class defensive work from Murillo, who timed his challenge perfectly.

Forest cannot settle until they know what the penalty will be for breaking the spending rules, even if the traveling supporters had made up their minds. “Ten point deduction, it’s coming for you,” they crowed, but Forest did his utmost to put the uncertainty behind him.

After Danilo had shot over from a promising position, Forest took the lead with the final action of the first half. Nayef Aguerd could only head Tavares’ cross to Dominguez, who saw Awoniyi in space and played a clever ball. Awoniyi stopped Aguerd too easily and finished confidently behind Areola from close range.

Forest continued to push after the break and again they were kept out by Areola, this time with a flying stop after Elanga’s ferocious angled volley. Then Hammers defender Kurt Zouma was shown a yellow card for a foul on Awoniyi – almost identical to a challenge he made against the Nigerian early in the first half, when referee Thomas Bramall showed no card.

Despite that reprieve, Moyes’ men were unable to find their rhythm, even when Forest tried to lend them a helping hand. Neco Williams’ clumsy clearance close to the penalty area gave free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse his chance, but the ball flew into the West Ham fans.

Then Bowen’s effort came too close to Matz Sels and West Ham were almost punished when Awoniyi headed Hudson-Odoi’s cross a fraction too high.

Awoniyi is a fine Premier League striker, except for one crucial detail: he simply cannot stay fit long enough. Midway through the second half, Forest’s number 9 indicated he could not continue and with Chris Wood also injured, Nuno turned to Divock Origi, who Forest were desperately trying to progress in January.

Areola kept his team in it again when he was perfectly stationed to parry Danilo’s sweet volley and shortly afterwards West Ham were reduced to 10 men. Phillips was booked moments earlier for pushing Dominguez to the ground, but unfortunately came late to Gibbs-White in midfield and was shown a second yellow card.

It was enough for the traveling supporters, who shouted: ‘Fired tomorrow morning!’ at their manager and ‘Boring, boring West Ham’ immediately afterwards. It didn’t take long for the Forest fans to join in, while there was only one goal left, West Ham still had a chance. Maxwel Cornet replaced Antonio and promptly mis-kicked when he was not marked at the far post.

Forest turned on the style. Origi’s fantastic back heel allowed Danilo to release Hudson-Odoi and Elanga was just off target in the middle.

Then came the moment when Nuno went wild. Cornet kicked Williams’ heel as he burst into the box and the Welshman lay sprawled on the turf. No penalty, said Bramall, and – to general surprise – also VAR Tim Robinson. Nuno and his staff couldn’t believe it and the Bosbaas was booked.

His mood did not improve four minutes from time when Danilo thought he had made a mistake in the second, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by substitute Ryan Yates. West Ham tried to push again but Elanga should have closed the lead at half-time but shot over from twelve yards. Relief eventually came when Hudson-Odoi smashed home Williams’ deflected cross, but an uncomfortable few days beckoned for Moyes.