I'm forever blowing bubbles, Pretty bubbles in the air, In Association With....
They fly so high, Nearly reach the sky, Then like my dreams, They fade and die.
Fortune's always hiding, I've looked everywhere, I'm forever blowing bubbles, Pretty bubbles in the air.......
UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!
Match Report: West Ham 1–2 Nottingham Forest
Date: January 6, 2026 | Venue: London Stadium
Result: West Ham (Murillo OG 13’) | Nottingham Forest (Dominguez 55’, Gibbs-White 89’ pen)
In what was billed as a "relegation six-pointer," West Ham’s struggles intensified following a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Despite taking an early lead via a Murillo own goal, the Hammers were unable to capitalize on their first-half dominance. The match turned on a series of controversial officiating decisions in the second half that left manager Nuno Espírito Santo and the London Stadium faithful in disbelief.
Refereeing Controversy & Critical Analysis
The officiating, led by Tony Harrington with Neil Davies on VAR, has become the primary talking point of the match. Two specific incidents involving Crysencio Summerville were central to West Ham's frustration:
Summerville’s Disallowed Goal (51’): Shortly after the break, Summerville appeared to have doubled the lead with a clinical strike. However, VAR intervened, ruling that debutant Valentin "Taty" Castellanos was offside in the build-up. The margin was razor-thin, and the decision shifted the momentum entirely; Forest equalized just four minutes later.
The Penalty Denial: Later in the half, Summerville was brought down by Elliot Anderson on the edge of the area (the "D"). While West Ham players appealed for a penalty, the referee waved play on. Nuno was subsequently shown a yellow card for his vehement protests. Critics argue that even if it was just outside the box, the failure to award a free kick for a clear foul epitomized a night of poor officiating.
The Decisive Penalty (89’): The game’s climax saw Forest awarded a penalty after Alphonse Areola collided with Morgan Gibbs-White while attempting to punch a cross. VAR recommended an on-field review, and Harrington pointed to the spot. While Areola made contact with the player, many analysts feel such "incidental contact" by a goalkeeper is rarely penalized, making the late winner especially bitter for the Hammers.
Performance & Season Outlook
West Ham’s performance remains lackluster and disjointed. Despite the inclusion of new signings, the team lacks a clear identity under Nuno Espírito Santo. The Hammers have now gone 10 matches without a win, picking up only one point from their last six.
Predicted Outcome: Currently sitting in 18th place with 14 points from 21 games, West Ham is in serious danger. If the current win rate (under 20%) persists, the club is on a direct path to the Championship. Unless the new January signings gel immediately or a managerial change provides a "new manager bounce," survival looks increasingly unlikely.
Transfer Activity: January 2026
New Signings (In)
Pablo Felipe (£21.8m from Gil Vicente): A versatile forward brought in to provide clinical finishing.
Valentin "Taty" Castellanos (from Lazio): The long-term target finally arrived this month and made his debut against Forest.
Mateus Fernandes (Summer 2025): The creative midfielder continues to be a bright spot in a dim season.
Outgoing Players (Out)
Niclas Füllkrug: Joined AC Milan on loan after a difficult stint in East London.
Luis Guilherme: Departed permanently for Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth approximately £12m.
Callum Wilson: Currently in talks to leave the club; he was omitted from the Forest squad as he seeks a new challenge.
January Transfer Gossip
With the window open until February 2, West Ham is desperate for defensive and creative reinforcements:
Goalkeeper Search: Internal reports suggest an offer has been made for Bento (Al-Nassr), as the club looks for long-term competition for Areola.
Adama Traoré (Fulham): West Ham is in advanced negotiations for a cut-price deal (approx. £3m–£7m), though Fulham may wait until the end of AFCON to finalize it.
Raheem Sterling (Loan): Rumors persist that West Ham is exploring a loan move for the Chelsea winger, with the Blues potentially covering a portion of his high wages.
Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse): Interest remains in the center-back to shore up a defense that has conceded 41 goals this season.
