Morgan Gibbs-White (foto: Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest kept their unlikely Champions League hopes alive with a vital 2-1 win at West Ham, while Fulham came from behind to defeat West London rivals Brentford 3-2 in a thrilling derby clash.
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Forest took an early lead when West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola gifted the ball to Guido Rodriguez, whose quick pass allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to fire into an empty net. Gibbs-White celebrated by holding up a shirt dedicated to teammate Taiwo Awoniyi, who is recovering from emergency surgery after an injury sustained last weekend.
Nikola Milenkovic doubled Forest’s lead in the 61st minute, finishing from close range off an Anthony Elanga free-kick. Jarrod Bowen pulled one back late for the Hammers, but Forest held on for a win that keeps them seventh—just one point off third-placed Newcastle.
“If you told us we’d be fighting for a Champions League place at the end of the season, we’d have signed up for it,” said manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Over in west London, Fulham kept their top-eight ambitions alive by beating Brentford 3-2. Raul Jimenez opened the scoring with a 16th-minute header, but Bryan Mbeumo quickly equalised. After Bernd Leno saved a Mbeumo penalty, Yoane Wissa gave Brentford a 2-1 lead just before halftime.
But Fulham rallied. Tom Cairney equalised in the 68th minute, and just two minutes later, Harry Wilson fired home a stunning long-range strike to seal a comeback victory.
Elsewhere, Declan Rice scored the only goal at the Emirates as Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 to secure second place. The loss leaves Newcastle needing a final-day win over Everton to ensure Champions League football, though their superior goal difference gives them the edge over fifth-placed Aston Villa.
Everton, meanwhile, played their final match at Goodison Park after 132 years. Iliman Ndiaye scored twice in the first half of a 2-0 win that gave the historic stadium a fitting send-off. Wayne Rooney was among the club legends in attendance.
At King Power Stadium, Jamie Vardy brought his Leicester career to a close in style, scoring his 200th goal for the club in a 2-0 win over Ipswich.