Gibbs-White ready for 'do or die' Chelsea showdown after emotional win

Morgan Gibbs-White dedicated Nottingham Forest's win over West Ham to Taiwo Awoniyi then urged his team-mates to reset for next week's "do or die" meeting with Chelsea.

Gibbs-White joined Nikola Milenkovic on the scoresheet as Forest maintained their hopes of Champions League qualification with a battling victory at the London Stadium.

After intercepting an errant pass from Alphonse Areola to score Forest's 11th-minute opener, Gibbs-White led his Forest team-mates in holding up a shirt bearing Awoniyi's name and number.

Awoniyi underwent surgery earlier this week after sustaining a serious abdominal injury when he collided with the post in a 2-2 draw with Leicester City last Sunday.

The Nigerian was placed in an induced coma for the procedure, though Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed on Friday he is awake and will remain under observation for a few days.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Sunday's win, Gibbs-White said: "It was more of an emotional one for us with Taiwo, but he's on a good recovery so that was for him.

"The whole week has been tough on everyone. Wednesday was our first day back in and the place was pretty lifeless, everyone was praying and wishing him well. He's come round on a good path, we're all wishing him well and that win today was for him.

"Today was the perfect example of how together our team is. We all came together and knew we had to do this today. The boys showed incredible resilience. 

"We've been good at taking the lead and seeing it out this season. It was a bit nervy towards the end and there were a few arguments but the boys rode the storm. Delighted with the three points and we go again next week."

A defeat would have ended Forest's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top five, but they now know a victory over Chelsea next Sunday would see them climb into the top six as a minimum.

They would then be left hoping another of their rivals – likely Aston Villa or Manchester City – slip up to confirm their place in the big time.

"Chelsea are an incredible team in good form, so we'll have to go back to the drawing board this week and focus on how we want to win that game," Gibbs-White added.

"It's a do-or-die moment, one last push and we have to give it everything – the fans, the staff and us. We'll be going in wanting three points.

"We want Champions League and we'll do our best to put on a good performance and get the three points."

West Ham, meanwhile, lost their final home game of a Premier League season for the first time since 2016-17, with jeers audible at half-time amid a flat display.

Jarrod Bowen's stunning volley ensured a tense finale and Niclas Fullkrug almost equalised 13 minutes into second-half stoppage time, but it was a familiar sinking feeling for Irons boss Graham Potter.

"It is frustrating when you want to finish with a win in the last home game of the season. With some players making their last appearances, you want to go out in a positive way," he said.

"We have to lick our wounds and go again next week. We focus on Ipswich first because we have another week and we want to finish with three points. 

"We have to use the summer to try to improve – it's as simple as that."