GIBB US A CHANCE

Forest's fighting spirit is just what they need fo avoid dreaded drop

- BY SARAH CLAPSON

THE perilous position Nottingham Forest find themselves in was hammered home at The Etihad in midweek - but so was their cause for optimism.

For a time, Forest fell into the bottom three. When West Ham took the lead over Fulham a few minutes after Manchester City had gone 2-1 up, it looked grim for Vitor Pereira's side.

Elliot Anderson came to their rescue with an equaliser, with the midfielder following Morgan Gibbs-White in finding the net with a special finish to draw the visitors level once again.

A brilliant goalline clearance from Murillo in stoppage time could prove equally important in the context of the season.

The visitors showed exactly the kind of character and fighting spirit they are going to need in the weeks ahead.

With the Hammers securing the three points at Craven Cottage, defeat in the north west would have seen Forest and West Ham switch places in the table.

As it is, they are level on points, separated only by goal difference.