Graham Potter Praises West Ham Players After 3-0 Win

Potter relieved after West Ham's 3-0 triumph over Forest

Graham Potter praises West Ham players after win over Nottingham Forest. Potter's West Ham side bounce back with 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

“The players deserve the night tonight, they deserved the win, they deserved the performance because...”

Graham Potter expressed relief and satisfaction following West Ham's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, stating that his players “deserved” the victory. This triumph marks a significant turnaround for the Hammers, who had struggled to find their footing in the Premier League season.

A Strong Response to Pressure

The win comes after a tough start to the season, which saw West Ham suffer heavy defeats at the hands of Sunderland and Chelsea. These losses had put Potter under immense pressure, but the manager believes this victory is a crucial step in the right direction. “A first brick in the wall” is how Potter described the win, highlighting its importance in building momentum for the rest of the season.

West Ham United dug deep to withstand Nottingham Forest's early pressure at the City Ground, before scoring three late goals to seal a 3-0 victory. Captain Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring, followed by Lucas Paquetá's penalty kick, and Callum Wilson's first goal for the club.

Bringing the three points back to East London ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/1TfZXhbC7r

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 31, 2025

Graham Potter's Post-Match Comments

West Ham manager Graham Potter expressed his confidence in the team's spirit and quality, despite recent results. “The world we're in, things change quickly but, for us, we didn't doubt the fight in the team, we didn't doubt the spirit in the team, we didn't doubt the quality in the team,” Potter said. “But when results are like they are, people are looking for things and reasons and you can get very simplistic.” Potter's comments highlight the team's resilience and determination to bounce back from setbacks.

Graham Potter praised his players' performance, saying, “The players deserve the night tonight, they deserved the win, they deserved the performance because of how they've acted and I'm really proud of them for that.” The win provides some relief for Potter heading into the international break.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to hold talks with club owner Evangelos Marinakis. This development comes after Forest's 3-0 defeat to West Ham United, which may have implications for the team's future direction.

Nottingham Forest had a promising start to the season with a win and a draw from their first two games. However, recent reports of a rift between the owner and manager Nuno Espirito Santo have cast uncertainty over his future at the club.

Hear from the gaffer after today's away win over Nottingham Forest 👇

— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 31, 2025

After the 3-0 defeat to West Ham, Espirito Santo expressed his disappointment with the team's second-half performance. “It was a surprise after the first half we were in control, but the second half was shocking,” he said. The manager's comments highlight the team's inability to maintain their level of performance throughout the match.

“We have to talk (with the owner), this result doesn't help things but we have to address what the club needs.

“It's a sad day and we are upset but in football you have a second chance to make it right.”

Key Highlights

• Jarrod Bowen's Goal: Bowen scored the opening goal in the 84th minute, sparking a chain reaction that sealed West Ham's victory.

• Lucas Paquetá's Penalty: Paquetá doubled the lead with a penalty in the 88th minute, further solidifying West Ham's dominance.

• Callum Wilson's Finish: Wilson sealed the win with a clinical finish in stoppage time, marking his first goal for West Ham.