West Ham United's consolation at the end of another troubled week is a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. A side that had been emotionally shattered by comebacks from Everton and Birmingham City in their previous two matches, leaving them bottom of the Premier League and out of the Carling Cup, demonstrated their powers of recovery. This team can still aspire to reach Wembley this term.Avram Grant's side had toiled for long periods against Nottingham Forest, resurgent in the Championship and impressive in their build-up play, before summoning some zest after the interval to impose themselves. Victor Obinna's hat-trick was a timely reminder of his abilities with Demba Ba already recruited and, potentially, Robbie Keane en route to Upton Park before tomorrow's transfer deadline. That increased firepower could be the key to top-flight survival, though reproducing the second-half intent in awkward fixtures to come will be just as critical.Grant cannot ignore the stodginess that had hinted at an upset. West Ham had been a mishmash through the first half, the nine changes from the demoralising midweek loss at St Andrew's doing little for their rhythm, and confidence clearly fragile among those drafted in. Danny Gabbidon endured a torrid opening period, with Hérita Ilunga not much more convincing at his side. Forest were the slicker, their passing exposing the Premier League team, who were ponderous in comparison. Given the visitors' dominance, the London club must have retired at the interval pinching themselves that they were still level.They had scored first and last in the opening period, courtesy of Obinna's opportunism. His first had been guided in from Mark Noble's mis-hit early on, Chris Gunter playing the striker onside as he loitered in the six-yard box. The second, plucked from a position out on the flank, was stunning, a cross shot which arrowed into the top corner with Frédéric Piquionne, not for the first time, absent from the area as a target.The goal injected much needed momentum into West Ham's display and left Forest dumbfounded that they were still level despite their approach. So often they had by-passed panicked or static defenders, their fluid forward line inter-changing comfortably and West Ham's makeshift defence struggling to track the breathless movement.David McGoldrick's spin and blind delivery for Dele Adebola to convert his first goal of the season 18 minutes in had summed up their rat-a-tat passing. Lewis McGugan and Radoslaw Majewski might have added a second before Piquionne inadvertently flicked down Chris Cohen's free-kick, Rob Green palming the loose ball up in the air, with McGoldrick nodding in from virtually on the goal-line.Had they retained their advantage at the interval then the tie might have been theirs but Obinna's second, flying in from the right touchline, wrested back the initiative.Joel Lynch's tug down on Winston Reid early in the second period provided the Nigerian with the opportunity to secure his hat-trick, the penalty tucked neatly away, and West Ham's approach was far more threatening thereafter. Lee Camp's saves, from Freddie Sears, Pablo Barrera and twice from Piquionne, prevented the Hammers from making it more emphatic. As it is, progress will suffice.FA CupWest Ham UnitedNottingham ForestDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Comments