Fluent Forest dispatch Fulham

A first-half blitz led by the excellence of Morgan Gibbs-White was enough for Nottingham Forest to see off Fulham at the City Ground and pick up a pivotal three points. 

LINEUPS

NFO XI: Sels; Williams, Omobamidele, Murillo, Aina; Yates*, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

NFO SUBS: Turner, Niakhate, Montiel, Toffolo, Kouyate, Sangare, Dominguez, Reyna, Origi

FUL XI: Leno*; Tete, Adarabioyo, Bassey, Robinson; Joao Palhinha, Lukic; Wilson, Andreas Pereira, Iwobi; Rodrigo Muniz

FUL SUBS: Rodak, Ream, Castagne, Reed, Cairney, Willian, Decordova-Reid, Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez

Action: A fast and electric start at the City Ground with a hostile and loud Nottingham Forest atmosphere was almost undermined from an end to end start that saw Fulham go close early on when Andreas Pereira shot from distance but had his effort well held by Matz Sels.

Then, though, Forest did fine an opening goal through some excellent play via Morgan Gibbs-White. The former Wolves man took the ball on the turn, rounding Joao Palhinha, before threading an inch perfect ball through to Callum Hudson-Odoi. Hudson-Odoi, with an excellent degree of composure, cut back and fired low into the bottom corner on his right foot.

The fast start by the hosts continued when Hudson-Odoi was released through on goal once again but the former Chelsea winger had his shot comfortably saved by Bernd Leno.

It didn’t take too long for Forest to double their lead, though, when Murillo drilled a ball into the feet of Chris Wood. The New Zealand international turned and, from around 30 yards, caught Leno off guard and almost placed the ball into the bottom corner.

Chris. Wood.

That's 3⃣ goals in 3⃣ games 🔥

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The free flowing and fluent football did not stop there, though, with Anthony Elanga bursting through from a Gibbs-White pass but only able to drive his effort low across goal.

Marco Silva then took the unusual but almost fair decision to make three tactical substitutions just after the half hour mark with Sasa Lukic, Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi replaced by Tom Cairney, Willian and Adama Traore. 

That didn’t matter, though, as Forest extended their lead just before half-time. The excellent Gibbs-White played a one-two with Danilo before opening his body and placing an effort across goal into Leno’s bottom corner. 

Fulham did get a reaction early on in the second-half, pulling a goal back via a very good Tosin Adarabioyo header, meeting Andreas Pereira’s corner.

The Brazilian midfielder then very nearly provided an assist for Adarabioyo again but the former Manchester City defender had his header, which bounced into the ground, palmed wide by Sels.

From the resultant corner, which was again taken by Andreas Pereira, Kenny Tete produced a powerful header than cannoned off the cross-bar.

Nottingham Fores had chances on the counter to put the game to bed but a couple of Divock Origi misses when unpunished by Fulham and the hosts held on for a comfortable and extremely important victory.

The big picture: Under pressure Nottingham Forest have moved to 25 points after 31 matches, a point behind Everton and three above Luton Town in the bottom three but Luton do have a game-in-hand. Fulham’s charge for European qualification has taken a hit but the Cottagers do sit five points off eighth place, with the top eight likely to be enough for at least UEFA Europa Conference League qualification. 

Man of the match: Morgan Gibbs-White. Often mercurial, Gibbs-White was absolutely sensational for Forest this evening and he will be pivotal if they are to secure Premier League survival. 

EVENTS

Kick-off

‘9 | GOAL: Hudson-Odoi (1-0)

’20 | GOAL: Wood (2-0)

’45 | GOAL: Gibbs-White (3-0)

Half-time

’49 | GOAL: Adarabioyo (3-1)

Full-time