Premier League: Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest
FA Cup: Sunderland 2-3 Fulham
While Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to search for his shooting boots, his Fulham teammates were in spectacular form last week.
Goals from Harry Wilson, Andreas Pereira and Layvin Kurzawa destroyed Sunderland’s FA Cup hopes in the midweek televised fixture. And on Saturday, Willian and Manor Solomon saw off Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten run.
To be fair, Forest could scarcely have experienced a worse opening period, losing both central defenders in the seventh minute of the match with hamstring problems.
Thirteen minutes later, after Serge Aurier had conceded a free kick, Renan Lodi’s half-clearance ran to Willian, who collected with his right foot, shifted to his left and curled the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net. It was a moment of footballing magic. The irrepressible Brazilian then provided an opening for a Mitro effort which was deflected over the bar by goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Bobby DeCordova-Reid came even closer, his thrilling drive thumping against the bar.
The Whites so dominated the first half that the lack of a second goal seemed ominous. One breakaway could have spoilt the day, but Forest were allowed no opportunity. Their best hope was an idiotic push in the back by Mitrovic that some officials might have deemed worthy of a penalty. Referee Andy Madley had mercy on the Serb.
Willian again
After the interval Willian again made an impact. A shrewd tackle by Tim Ream gave him the chance to double his tally, but his right-footed effort slammed against the bar. He followed up by winning a free kick – only for Pereira to perform a similar near miss.
Sixty minutes in, the Forest manager sent on Jonjo Shelvey – frequently a thorn in Fulham’s side – and the visitors suddenly looked more dangerous. When the debutant Felipe put Morgan Gibbs-White through, it required a courageous interception from Ream to prevent an equaliser.
Fulham were also indebted to Bernd Leno for a close save from Aurier after a perfect centre by Shelvey.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Harry Wilson came on and made an immediate impact, prompting a Fulham breakaway.
The Welshman’s reward was to suffer a heavy late tackle by Lodi but the referee allowed play to continue and an unmarked Manor Solomon, another substitute, rammed home his first goal for the club. Madley’s use of the advantage rule was exemplary, but I have not seen a single report that praises him. Such is the referee’s lot.
Rats entertainment
The final score reflected the home team’s superiority. A happy day for Fulham supporters was complemented by the half-time interview with Alan Mullery, even if he turned a few stomachs with an account of his early days at the club after leaving school.
He recalled having to kill rats as they came off the river. It was a more dramatic version than the one in his autobiography – though I am glad that he did not get onto the subject of fish manure, which he also had to endure.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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