Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood celebrates scoring (file photo). Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Nottingham Forest has made the most of the dismissal of West Ham United's Edson Alvarez, with a rip-roaring 3-0 win that lifted them into third spot in the Premier League, with Kiwi Chris Wood, as well as Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina getting the goals.
Having battled against relegation before finishing 17th last season, Forest's bright start this term has taken them to 19 points from 10 games, six behind Liverpool and four off second-placed Manchester City, while West Ham are 14th on 11 points.
Roared on by their fans, Forest started well and took the lead in the 27th minute when Wood broke the deadlock with an old-fashioned striker's goal as Alex Moreno got down the left and produced a perfect cross for the New Zealander to nod home.
It was Woods' eighth goal of the season.
West Ham's chances of a comeback were dealt a blow when Alvarez picked up his first yellow card in the 39th minute, and then followed that in first-half stoppage time with a clumsy sliding tackle on Anthony Elanga, resulting in a red card.
There were plenty of celebrations at the end, as Forest's third win in a row saw them join the challengers at the top of the table.
"We were really getting into it at the end and we wanted more goals. Unfortunately mine didn't go in, but we are delighted with today's work," Nottingham captain Ryan Yates told the BBC before giving credit to coach Nuno Espirito Santo for their excellent start to the season.
"He can really implement the ideas. There are many things that have gone into why we were doing well. I think the recruitment has been fantastic, we have kept the core together and we are doing really well," Yates added.
"There are still things we can improve on - they (West Ham) are a tough opposition and they went down to 10 men, which changed things, but you can only beat what is in front of you."
Liverpool enjoyed a perfect day as they came from behind to beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 and Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal both suffered defeats.
Mohamed Salah secured the points for Liverpool at Anfield, to put Arne Slot's side two points clear of injury-hit champions City, who lost in the league for the first time in 11 months, going down to a shock 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth.
Arsenal lost 1-0 at Newcastle United, meaning Mikel Arteta's side have managed only one point from their last three games.
Liverpool have 25 points from 10 games, with City on 23, while Forest have 19. Arsenal are fourth with 18 points, although could slip out of the top four if fifth-placed Aston Villa avoid defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
-Reuters