Forest entered the game knowing a defeat would end its hopes of a top-five finish, while even a draw would make it A huge outsider ahead of the final matchday of the Premier League season.

After an open start saw Matz Sels deny Tomas Soucek and Morgan Gibbs-White volley straight at Alphonse Areola, the visitor was gifted an 11th-minute opener.

Areola also beat away a drive from Chris Wood, but the Frenchman was at fault for Forest's opener. He got nowhere near enough power on his pass towards Guido Rodriguez, allowing Gibbs-White to steal possession and finish into an open goal.

Forest's players celebrated by holding up the shirt of striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who underwent abdominal surgery earlier this week after a nasty collision with the post in a 2-2 draw with Leicester City.

Chris Wood had two chances late in the first half, including when he nodded against the outside of the post from a corner, but Forest had a two-goal cushion in the 61st minute.

Milenkovic's fortuitous touch helped Anthony Elanga's free-kick into the far corner, with the goal confirmed following a six-minute VAR review for offside in a crowded penalty area.

West Ham toiled until the 86th minute, when Jarrod Bowen took a sensational touch with the outside of his boot before sending a thunderous volley past Sels, and it had one huge chance to level during 16 minutes of stoppage time.

Niclas Fullkrug's powerful header was pawed away by Sels, as Forest clung on for a significant win.

City and Newcastle could be out of Forest's reach by next Monday, but a win over Chelsea and a slip-up from another of its rivals could yet bring Champions League football to the City Ground.