Nottingham Forest moved three points clear of the relegation zone after beating Fulham 3-1 at the City Ground on Tuesday thanks to a stunning first half display.
Forest’s forwards had too much for Fulham throughout as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White all scored in the first half and they could have been further ahead.
Fulham were much better in the second half as Marco Silva’s first half triple sub had the desire effect with Tosin heading home and the Cottagers went close to scoring a second on several occasions but Forest held on for a comfortable win. In the end.
The victory, their first in six games, moves them on to 25 points, three clear of 18th-place Luton who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone but the Hatters do have a game in-hand on Forest. Fulham remain on 39 points and have conceded six goals in four days after two disappointing away trips to Sheffield United and Forest yielded just one point.
Forwards hold key to Forest’s survival hopes
When you look at Forest’s forward line it is tough to see how they are in this mess. But they are and it was those forwards who dragged them to what could be a crucial win. Wood is a great focal point and is using all of his experience. Elanga and Hudson-Odoi are electric and are now finding their finishing touch. And the man who knits it altogether is Gibbs-White as he dragged Forest towards safety with fury and composure and tore Fulham apart with clever running and precise passing. There is still a long way to go but Forest have come out swinging since they were handed a four-point deduction during the international break for breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules. Don’t forget: they’re missing their main man Taiwo Awoniyi through injury and have Reyna and Origi to call on too. It feels like a squad with that quality of forwards will save themselves from relegation.
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Gibbs-White had a day as he was everywhere and his running off the ball caused Fulham so many problems. Hudson-Odoi, Wood and Elanga were excellent too, while Andreas Pereira was perhaps the lone Fulham player who could walk away with some credit.
What’s next?
Nottingham Forest head to Tottenham on Sunday, April 7. Fulham host Newcastle on Saturday, April 6.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET, Tuesday (April 2)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham final score: 3-1
Hudson-Odoi 9', Wood 19', Gibbs-White 45+3'; Tosin 49'
Nottingham Forest vs Fulham live updates!
Full time: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham
The damage was done in the first half as Forest were excellent. Fulham surged back in the second half but couldn’t get a second goal to set up a wild finale. A deserved win for Forest which gives them a huge boost in their battle to stay in the Premier League.
Adama Traore smashes the post in stoppage time
That is going to be that for Fulham. Traore has a great chance but he smashes the post.
Tosin almost heads home another, Tete hits the bar, then Willian curls wide
Sels makes a fine save to deny Tosin a second headed goal then from that Fulham corner Kenny Tete heads against the crossbar. Willian then curls just wide moments later. Fulham having a real go. 20 minutes to go.
Neco Williams smashes the bar
What a hit from the Forest right back as he spanks an effort which has Leno rooted to the spot but it cannons off the crossbar. Williams is having a great game.
Okay, maybe we have a game? Tosin heads home - Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham (49th minute)
This could be intriguing now. A corner from the left is flicked home by Tosin and that is a lovely header. Game on? Maybe. Fulham did fight back to draw 3-3 at Sheffield United this weekend.
Half time: Nottingham Forest 3-0 Fulham
What an incredible first half from Forest. They have torn Fulham to shreds. They are hungry, direct and have players running off the ball all over the place and they could be up by five or six.
Right on half time Forest surely seal the win - Nottingham Forest 3-0 Fulham (45th minute +3)
That is game, set, match, surely? Gibbs-White cuts in from the left and plays a one-two with Danilo before slotting home. Forest in dreamland.
Triple sub for Fulham and this is not pretty
Marco Silva is seething on the sidelines and he’s seen enough. Wilson, Lukic and Iwobi are all off, with Cairney, Traore and Willian on. A triple sub after 33 minutes is never a good thing.
It should be 3-0 to Forest but Elanga hits the post
Forest are ripping Fulham to pieces and this time Elanga is in but his low shot skims the post and goes wide. He should score. And he knows it. But Forest look like they’re going to score every time they go forward. Add in the big chance Hudson-Odoi missed and Forest could easily be 4-0 up.
Wood totally catches out Leno and it’s 2-0! - Nottingham Forest 2-0 Fulham (19th minute)
That is outrageous from Chris Wood! He turns and from 25 yards out he has a pop and totally catches Leno out as the ball flies in to the bottom corner. Forest are in dreamland. The City Ground is going bonkers.
It should be 2-0 to Forest as Hudson-Odoi misses a big chance
The ball is worked to Hudson-Odoi and he is clean through on goal but decides to cut back in and Fulham clear from a corner. Nuno Espirito Santo is livid. Hudson-Odoi should have hit that first time.
Perfect start for Forest as Hudson-Odoi curls home - Nottingham Forest 1-0 Fulham (9th minute)
The City Ground has erupted as Gibbs-White turns and plays a lovely ball to the left to find Hudson-Odoi in-behind and he cuts inside and curls home a beauty to put the hosts 1-0 up. That was silky.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Williams, Omobamidele, Murillo, Aina; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson; Palhinha, Lukic; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Muniz
Nottingham Forest focus, team news
Forest’s injury issues are calming down but they are missing their main up top in Awoniyi. Chris Wood is stepping in well to that role and USMNT fans should watch out for Gio Reyna getting more minutes in this game after his decent cameo at the weekend.
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Nuno Tavares (thigh), Ola Aina (undisclosed), Willy Boly (undisclosed)
Fulham focus, team news
Fulham have no injuries which is a huge bonus for Silva as they go full steam ahead for a top 10 finish late in the season.
