Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest: Cottagers secure impressive win

Fulham beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Craven Cottage on Saturday as Marco Silva’s side continue their fine season

WATCH – Full match replay

Emile Smith Rowe gave Fulham the lead and Matz Sels kept them in the game with a string of fine saves. At the other end Chris Wood continued his great season as he equalized for Forest against the run of play.

But Calvin Bassey scored the winner with a header as Fulham could have score more but came up against an inspired Sels in goal for Forest.

Fulham have 39 points and are in the race for fifth place and a possible Champions League spot. Nottingham Forest have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road and are on 47 points and are being caught by a host of teams behind them pushing for European qualification.

European hopefuls Fulham leaning on Nuno’s old boys Jimenez and Traore

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will have been torn to see his former Wolves stars Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore flying for Fulham and being instrumental in their win against his current team. On one hand he will be ruing them but on the other he will surely be pleased to see the duo back hitting the heights which helped his Wolves side qualify for Europe. Jimenez and Traore have both been on a long journey back to the peak of their powers and it’s fitting that they seem to have finally got back their together. They each grabbed an assist and were so dangerous throughout as Traore was a constant threat and provided brilliant crosses (not least for Smith Rowe’s opener and setting up Jimenez for an early chance) and Neco Williams will be glad to see the end of him. Jimenez led the line so well for Fulham, linking up play, getting on the end of attacks and going close to scoring on multiple occasions. Jimenez and Traore have led a European charge for an unfancied Premier League club before and they’re doing it again for Fulham. Again, Nuno will be upset that his Forest side couldn’t stop Jimenez and Traore but deep down he’ll be pleased to see two players who helped him make his name in England finally getting back to their best.

Fulham vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (via FotMob.com)

What’s next?

Fulham host Crystal Palace on Saturday, February 22. Nottingham Forest head to Newcastle on Sunday, February 23.

Fulham vs Nottingham Forest score: 2-1

Smith Rowe 15', Bassey 62'; Wood 37'

Sels denies Traore

What a brilliant stop from Sels to deny Traore.

Sels denies Lukic... then Bassey scores from the corner! — Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest

That was coming! Sels makes another fine save to deny Lukic but from that corner Jimenez flicks it on and Bassey heads home. That makes up for when Forest’s equalizer deflected off him.

Traore’s shot deflects just wide

Fulham have been very good in the second half. Just like they were in the first half. Traore’s low shot deflects wide and is out for a corner.

Half time: Fulham 1-1 Nottingham Forest

As predicted, a really fun game and Fulham should be way ahead. They’ve created some big chances but Matz Sels kept Forest in it after going behind to Smith Rowe’s header and Chris Wood has equalized.

Wood equalizes! — Fulham 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Forest have been outplayed throughout but one long ball over the top catches out Bassey and Robinson who collide, and Wood makes the most of it as he sorts out his feet and his shot deflects in off Bassey. That is Wood’s 18th goal of the season.

Jimenez again denied by Sels

The ball drops to Raul Jimenez on the edge of the box and he smashes a beauty on target but Sels does superbly to tip the effort wide.

Sels denies Jimenez

Another fine run from Traore and he clips a cross to the back post which Jimenez heads on target but Sels saves.

Smith Rowe heads home! — Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Traore again cuts in from the right and he clips a cross to the back post which Smith Rowe heads home calmly. Great wing play from Traore and that is a lovely run and finish from Smith Rowe. Timed it to perfection.

Jimenez heads wide

Traore whips in a great cross and Raul Jimenez climbs high and powers a header just wide. He thought that was in.

Williams goes close

Neco Williams has surged forward from left back and has an effort which goes close.

Fulham lineup

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez

Nottingham Forest lineup

Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Anderson, Danilo; Morato, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood

Fulham team news, focus

Jimenez and Muniz are both scoring when they’re on the pitch but the Mexican striker has the edge to start. For now. Behind him Smith Rowe and Iwobi have been excellent in attacking midfield and Fulham look so solid and sturdy.

OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring)

Nottingham Forest team news, focus

Forest had a big scrap away at third-tier Exeter City in the FA Cup on Tuesday, which they won on penalty kicks after a grueling 120 minutes. That could impact the team and a few changes but we can expect the usual trip of Wood, Gibbs-White and Elanga to be dangerous and ruthless in attack.

OUT: Carlos Miguel (thigh), Taiwo Awoniyi (head) | QUESTIONABLE: Murillo (thigh), Callum Hudson-Odoi (hip)

Fulham vs Nottingham Forest prediction

This should be a fun one as both teams go all-out for the win and are very dangerous on counter attacks. Expect plenty of goals. Fulham 3-2 Nottingham Forest.

Fulham vs Nottingham Forest preview

Marco Silva’s Fulham remain in the European hunt as they won late on at Newcastle last time out in the Premier League. Raul Jimenez is back among the goals and Fulham have some much attacking quality with USMNT left back Antonee Robinson leading them with assists and Iwobi, Smith Rowe and others stepping up. The Cottagers are a lot of fun to watch and they have great balance about their team.

Nottingham Forest battered Brighton 7-0 last time out in the Premier League as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are in the Champions League hunt, against all the odds. Forest know this is the type of game they have to win to keep their top four hopes alive as the clubs beneath them in the table are starting to build some momentum. Still, there’s no fear or pressure at Forest because they’ve already exceeded expectations for this season.

How to watch Fulham vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start timeKick off time: 10am ET Saturday (February 15)

Venue: Craven Cottage — London

TV Channel: USA

Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com