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Fulham are battling. Marco Silva’s options are limited and he does not have many ways to freshen up his side, but at least he can count on an experienced core and a group willing to scrap when they are at risk of being dragged towards the relegation zone.
It is putting it kindly to say this game will not live long in the memory. It was scrappy, stop-start and overly physical. Both teams were disappointing in the final third and it probably would have finished goalless but for Douglas Luiz’s rush of blood to the head gifting Raul Jiménez to score the goal that lifted Fulham 10 points above the bottom three before their trip to West Ham on Saturday.
Fulham fought to claim a vital win. They remained disciplined during a tense second half and their organisation exposed Nottingham Forest’s utter lack of imagination. Sean Dyche, who will no doubt grumble about the award for Jiménez’s penalty, saw little from his side. Forest barely had a chance of note and will rue missing an opportunity to increase their five-point lead over West Ham in 18th place.
There was little to separate the sides during the opening exchanges. Fulham looked to make a fast start, Kevin racing down the left and firing in a dangerous cross, but Forest responded. Strong in midfield, with Elliot Anderson always showing for the ball, the visitors soon threatened. There was an early chance for Igor Jesus, who flicked over from close range after neat work from Morgan Gibbs-White and Neco Williams, and another sight of goal for the Brazilian after a mistake from Antonee Robinson almost led to Forest going ahead in the 10th minute.
Fulham were uncomfortable when pressed high. Their small squad has been stretched by the Africa Cup of Nations – Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze are significant absentees – and there was further concern when Kevin needed lengthy attention after being kneed in the head by one of his own players.
It was just as well that the Brazilian was able to continue. He was soon putting his speed to good use again, worrying Nicolò Savona on Forest’s right, and made a telling impact when he won the penalty from which Jiménez gave Fulham the lead at the end of a tight opening period.
Fulham had edged it. It spoke volumes that one of the highlights from a Forest perspective was a move breaking down when a stray pass hit the referee, Anthony Taylor. It summed up the visitors, who were aimless and uninspired in attack. Callum Hudson-Odoi, scorer of two goals during last week’s win over Tottenham, was being bullied by Kenny Tete on the left and Gibbs-White was struggling to find space in influential areas.
Fulham, meanwhile, improved as the half wore on. Sasa Lukic slid a shot narrowly wide and the home fans thought that Jiménez had scored when he met Robinson’s cross at the near post, only for the forward’s header to fly inches wide.
Fulham were pressing as half-time approached. Five minutes were added on, partly because of Kevin’s earlier injury, and the winger took advantage. The 22-year-old darted into the area from the left, drawing defenders towards him, and was sent tumbling when Douglas Luiz caught him with a loose tackle.
It was a foolish tackle from a player of Douglas Luiz’s experience. The Brazilian midfielder pleaded innocence but it was a clear foul and Jiménez punished him by sending John Victor the wrong way from 12 yards.
Forest had to wake up. They had a chance at the start of the second half, Igor Jesus lobbing over. Williams threatened next, recording Forest’s first shot on target when he tested Bernd Leno from 20 yards.
Fulham, sinking back, were inviting pressure. Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca found themselves getting through more work in central defence. They had lost control in midfield. Unable to keep the ball, the hosts were asking for trouble. Forest, though, were still not creating clear openings. Murillo and Gibbs-White were both overly optimistic when trying to score from improbable distances.
Forest were looking blunt with 25 minutes left. Yet Fulham were passive. Silva could sense the shift. It was not a surprise when he tried to alter the flow by introducing Tom Cairney’s perceptive passing in midfield.
Cairney gave Fulham more balance with the ball. Driving forward, he almost doubled Fulham’s lead in the 72nd minute. It took a fine save from John Victor to push the midfielder’s shot wide.
Forest were in danger of slipping away. Dyche responded, Taiwo Awoniyi, Nicolás Domínguez and James McAtee coming on. Fulham were still holding firm. Forest had resorted to hopeful long balls by the end. They were out of ideas and it was Fulham who went closest to scoring again, only for Jiménez to head just wide from Tete’s cross.
