Nottingham Forest vs Fulham LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham: Three first-half goals earned the hosts a precious win
Three first-half goals earned Nottingham Forest a vital 3-1 victory over Fulham in their battle to stay away from the Premier League relegation zone.
The hosts were irrepressible in the first period with Callum Hudson-Odoi opening the scoring after nine minutes and Chris Wood doubling Forest’s advantage in the 19th minute.
Stunned Fulham manager Marco Silva made a triple substitution but it got worse for the visitors before the interval as the outstanding Morgan Gibbs-White made it 3-0 in stoppage time with a clinical finish.
Fulham reacted well in the second half and threw themselves a lifeline when Tosin Adarabioyo headed in from a corner.
Both sides hit the woodwork but despite a few jitters Forest held firm to move to 25 points, three ahead of Luton Town who occupy the last relegation place.
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
It's all done and dusted at the City Ground, as Forest's three-goal lead from the first half proves crucial to sealing a 3-1 victory over Fulham!! Only one goal to speak of in the second, but what a half it proved to be with chances galore at both ends. Fulham needed a response after an opening 45 minutes of disarray, and got it just four minutes into the second half thanks to Adarabioyo's towering header. Still two goals to the good, Forest pushed to put the result beyond doubt, but couldn't add to their first-half tally as Williams struck the crossbar and Danilo and Origi fired high and wide from close range late on. Fulham had an absolute glut of chances throughout the half, but they too couldn't add to their earlier goal, with Adarabioyo and Muniz both heading wide as Tete and Traore's efforts hit the woodwork. A frenetic, free-scoring, end-to-end game comes to a close, as Forest secure a huge three points to take themselves three points clear of Luton in 18th. Fulham could well have overcome their woeful first-half showing which led to three players being hooked on half an hour, and drop to 13th with their 14th defeat of the season.
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
OFF THE UPRIGHT!!! Fulham hit the woodwork again!! Traore collects Reed's pass and drills a shot goalwards from the right-hand side of the box, but it cannons back off the top of the near post and goes behind for a goal-kick!!
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
WIDE!!! Wood's first time ball out to Origi on the right is inch-perfect, and the Belgian charges into the box. Engaging Leno, he bears down on goal and shoots towards the bottom corner, but drags his effort just a few inches beyond the far post!!
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
Murillo looks for Wood again with a long-range throughball into the box, but the New Zealand striker gets nowhere near it as Leno comes off his line to collect.
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
FIVE added minutes to play at the City Ground - will that be enough time for Fulham to rescue something at the death?
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
With time running out, Fulham win a close-range free-kick from the left-hand side of Forest's box, and Willian delivers. The low ball into the near post is hooked away from the goalmouth by Omobamidele, and Dominguez arrives on the byline to scythe it clear of danger!
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
OVER!!! A loose Traore pass leaves space in behind for Reyna to play in Danilo, and the midfielder charges into the visitors' box before blasting a powerful strike over the top from an acute angle!!
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
OVER!! Origi steps away from two defenders and plays a one-two with Wood before letting fly from the edge of the box, but his left-footed strike flashes just a few inches beyond the crossbar!
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham
Fulham have attempted 14 shots in this match, higher than their Premier League average of 13.2 this season, yet have only Adarabioyo's goal to show for it with Forest looking set to secure the points here.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments