From the moment Morgan Gibbs-White’s low strike nestled in the corner just after the opening quarter-hour, you could feel the collective emotion swell among the Forest supporters.
That goal, a brilliant strike from Alphonse Areola’s loose pass, was dedicated to their injured teammate Taiwo Awoniyi, who had been stretchered off in the game against Leicester City. In the moments after, his teammates lifted Awoniyi’s jersey aloft in celebration, it was clear this wasn’t just three points; it was a love letter from the squad and the fans to Awoniyi, a reminder that he was very much still part of this journey.
You could see it in Gibbs-White’s outstretched arms toward the away end, in the passionate roars that shook the London Stadium, and in the tears some supporters dabbed away as they held aloft Forest scarves inscribed with “Awoniyi, we’re with you.”
On the pitch, Forest matched that emotion with steel. After Gibbs-White’s 11th-minute opener, they controlled territory and tempo, thwarting West Ham’s sporadic efforts with composure. Chris Wood and Ola Aina combined to carve out chances, but it was Nikola Milenković’s towering header from Anthony Elanga’s in-swinging free-kick just after the hour that truly put daylight between the sides. Even when Jarrod Bowen pulled one back with four minutes to go, Forest dug in, and Matz Sels produced a last-gasp save from Niclas Füllkrug’s thundering header to preserve the victory.
Beyond the emotional outpouring, this win carried real significance. It was Forest’s first-ever victory at the London Stadium in the Premier League era. More importantly, it means the Reds will head into their final match of the season, against Chelsea at the City Ground, knowing that their final league position, and possibly European qualification, rests on their own performance rather than elsewhere.
As the Forest faithful left the stadium with voices hoarse but spirits soaring, the message was clear: this team not only fights for points, but for each other. In dedicating their performance to Taiwo Awoniyi, they showed that unity and belief can turn a routine fixture into a moment of profound solidarity, a fitting tribute to a teammate who remains at the heart of everything they do.
