Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest
After the Manchester United debacle, a good home performance was due and Fulham amply delivered that last Saturday.
As I walked away from the ground afterwards I heard a Nottingham Forest supporter intoning a litany of players injured and players forced to take on unfamiliar roles. None of that should detract from a convincing 2-1 victory over one of the Premier League's top sides.
Marco Silva, as expected, reverted to his A team rather than using the formation that beat Wigan.
Raul Jimenez led the line before giving way to Rodrigo Muniz in the 76th minute. Neither scored but both contributed to the Whites' success. When the substitutes made their first jog down the touchline the fans gave a special cheer to the returning Willian.
The opening passage was the only substandard part of the game as two talented sides overhit their passes and made basic errors, not helped by the slippery surface.
Neco Williams found an empty space on Fulham's right and came close with a low drive. He then took on the exhausting task of managing Adama Traore, who outshone him in attack and defence.
With Fulham dominant and hungry for goals, commentators Jim and Jamie were not the only ones to think that Jimenez's firm header from a Traore centre had opened the scoring. From the Hammersmith End, one could see that it was slightly off target. Adama then created an even better chance for Emile Smith Rowe, who put the Whites ahead in the 15th minute.
The Traore/Jimenez partnership had another try but Matz Sels saved comfortably. The bombardment continued until Chris Wood intruded with a surprise equaliser evading both of his markers Antonee Robinson and Calvin Bassey. Jim however was smart to notice that Wood's shot had taken a slight deflection off Calvin Bassey to put it further out of Bernd Leno's reach.
After the interval (which included a dignified tribute to folk associated with the club who had passed away in the last twelve months) it was time for Traore himself to take a pot shot but Elliot Anderson diverted it away from goal.
Although Sasa Lukic's attempt was saved, Fulham regained the lead from the resultant corner. Jimenez nodded the ball to Bassey, whose looping header found the net – to universal delight.
Adama Traore in a class of his own
Yet Forest were playing much better now and the match was far from settled. The keepers came into their own, Leno defying Callum Hudson Odoi and Matz Sels frustrating Traore and (in a double save) substitutes Muniz and Harrison Reed.
There was no doubt about whom the supporters would elect as Man of the Match. We have had hints of his quality but on Saturday, Adama was in a class of his own. The hardworking, unselfish Sasa Lukic came runner-up.
This victory gave Fulham the double over Forest. In the home match Nuno Espirito Santo had disputed the vital penalty ('Bad day, wasn't it?' was his judgment of the officials).
This time the refereeing (Thomas Bramall) was top notch with no yellow cards issued and scant controversy. Nuno was complimentary about the Whites and most Fulham fans will be pleased if his team finishes in the top four.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
