A hat-trick from Ross McCormack has given Fulham a commanding 3-1 lead against Nottingham Forest at the halfway stage of their Championship match this evening.

The hosts made a bright start and McCormack forced Dorus de Vries to tip over his powerful strike.

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However, there was nothing the keeper could do in the sixth minute, as Hugo Rodallega laid the ball off for McCormack to curl an effort into the corner and give Fulham the lead.

The Cottagers had another chance to score minutes later as Alexander Kacaniklic was found by McCormack, but his weak attempt was smothered by De Vries.

McCormack was at the heart of Fulham's best moves and it was no surprise to see him score his second of the match in the 18th minute when he bent a strike in off the post.

Fulham were in complete control and 10 minutes before the break they scored a third as McCormack's shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and looped into the back of the net.

On the stroke of half time Henri Lansbury curled a free kick into the top corner to pull a goal back for the visitors and raise their hopes of a comeback in the remaining 45 minutes.