Nottingham Forest dropped points in their quest for Champions League football as they lost 2-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts started the game excellently and starved Forest of possession in the opening stages before finding the breakthrough after less than 15 minutes when Adama Traore picked out Emile Smith Rowe, who crashed the box and headed his side in front.
However, Chris Wood predictably drew the visitors level after taking control of Morgan Gibbs-White's long pass, and the forward swept home to score his 18th Premier League goal of the season.
The Cottagers regained the lead after the hour mark when Raul Jimenez rose highest from a corner and flicked on a pass to Calvin Bassey, whose goal was enough to earn his side all three points.
Fulham's win means they end the day in eighth with 39 points and are just two behind seventh-placed Newcastle United, while Forest remain in third place with 47 points but fourth-placed Manchester City did close the gap on them to three points.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Fulham boss Marco Silva continues to perform excellently with the Cottagers, and it would not be surprising if they moved further up the table towards the Conference League and Europa League spots should the likes of Chelsea keep up their poor form.
Despite the defeat, Nottingham Forest's European hopes are still well and truly alive given they are three points above Manchester City, as well as four points ahead of fifth-placed Bournemouth and sixth-placed Chelsea.
However, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side now having dropped points in three of their last six in the league - losing two and drawing one - they could be drawn into a frantic battle for Champions League football come the end of the season.
FULHAM VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
15th min: Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Emile Smith Rowe)
© Imago
Fulham work the ball to the right-wing, where Traore collects it and shimmies onto his left foot near the corner of the box before swinging in a cross to the far post, and Smith Rowe brilliantly times his run and jump as he heads home from close range.
What a delivery!
36th min: Fulham 1-1 Nottingham Forest (Chris Wood)
© Imago
Forest have easy possession by the halfway line, and Gibbs-White decides to play directly over Fulham's defence to Chris Wood, who out-muscles Bassey and Antonee Robinson to gain control of the ball in the box, and the striker cuts back onto his left foot before sweeping home into the bottom-left corner.
Who else but Wood?
62nd min: Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest (Calvin Bassey)
© Imago
Fulham play a corner into the near post from the right, and Jimenez rises highest to flick the ball behind him before Bassey heads across goal and into the right of the net.
A great set piece!
MAN OF THE MATCH - SASA LUKIC
© Imago
Sasa Lukic was at the heart of Fulham's dominant performance in the middle of the pitch, remarkably completing 42 of his 42 attempted passes.
However, the midfielder also managed to create the most chances (6) of any player on the pitch while also making five defensive recoveries.
FULHAM VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Fulham 55%-45% Nottingham Forest
Shots: Fulham 24-7 Nottingham Forest
Shots on target: Fulham 10-2 Nottingham Forest
Corners: Fulham 8-4 Nottingham Forest
Fouls: Fulham 13-8 Nottingham Forest
BEST STATS
Chris Wood now has 20 Premier League goal involvements this season:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2025
🏟 25 games
⚽️ 18 goals
🅰️ 2 assists
His best ever return 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vpnXc8fONs
Fulham 2-1 Nottm Forest
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) February 15, 2025
Forest's hopes of Champions League qualification are dealt a blow with this defeat at Fulham. pic.twitter.com/NmSavbWbeh
WHAT NEXT?
Fulham are set to play Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on February 22 before facing Wolverhampton Wanderers three days later.
As for Nottingham Forest, a difficult period awaits them in the top flight, with the club taking on Newcastle United on February 23 and then hosting Arsenal at the City Ground on February 26.
Lewis Nolan
