Tuesday’s briefing: Forest win again, Nwaneri blow and Potter linked to West Ham

In-form Nottingham Forest opened the door to a surprise Premier League title challenge by beating Wolves 3-0 to register a sixth win in a row.

Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi on Monday evening moved Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

Elsewhere, Graham Potter is reportedly in talks to replace under-pressure West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, Arsenal suffered another injury setback and Virgil van Dijk defended Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold.

WWWWWWonderful. pic.twitter.com/kcbuJfEN3m

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 6, 2025

Forest’s brilliant season under Nuno Espirito Santo continued with an emphatic success over his former club at Molineux.

The visitors racked up six consecutive top-flight wins to move six points behind table-topping Liverpool.

Arne Slot’s leaders visit the City Ground next week in a clash which could decide whether Forest really are title contenders.

It was an especially good night for ex-Wolves player Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who gave watching England manager Thomas Tuchel food for thought with a goal and an assist respectively.

Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Potter has been out of work since April 2023 when he was sacked just 31 games into a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

However, according to reports, the 49-year-old could be set to return to the game, tasked with reviving West Ham’s fortunes.

Lopetegui’s position at the London Stadium looks under serious threat following heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City, while technical director Tim Steidten – a known admirer of Potter – is staying away from the club’s training ground.

The Hammers have declined to comment on the managerial situation but did say Steidten is