Fulham 0-1 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship) 26.04.22
A huge win in the race for promotion as Nottingham Forest get revenge on table topping Fulham after their earlier season 4-0 thumping at the City Ground, the Reds enjoying a massive three points in London to stop the home side becoming champions (for now), with results elsewhere going good, whilst leaving Steve Cooper’s side a little frustrated after Bournemouth in second came from 3-0 down to draw at Swansea.
After early Forest pressure, Colback shooting straight at Rodak from long range on five minutes before Johnson flashed wide on eight following good work by Zinckernagel, the Reds had reward for a promising start inside fifteen minutes when after a quick throw in down the right, Surridge played through to the Danish winger who capitalised on some terrible miscommunication between Ream and his goalkeeper to poke the ball over the line from close range.
A minute later that hard work was nearly undone when Samba’s own goalkeeping error lead to the Forest number one eventually saving from Carvalho, before Jack Colback had another speculative opportunity, volleying again at Rodak after Surridge’s header down into his path.
Fulham hit back with Carvalho blazing over after Mitrovic chested down to him, the Serbian who on Sunday, received the Championship Player of the Season trophy after his 41 league goal haul, going close on the stroke of half time, bending a free kick over the bar.
The champions-elect would come out of the second half with full intention to get back into the game, Bobby Reid firing over after playing a smart one-two with Wilson a minute from the restart, Mitrovic heading over from close range after it looked easier to score, just moments later.
The Reds still looked dangerous on the break with Rodak denying Surridge brilliantly, before Bryan blocked from Johnson, Carvalho then forced a fine save by Samba down to his left, the youngster shooting from all of twenty yards.
In the closing stages Worrall put his body on the line in typical fashion to stop Mitrovic getting a shot on target whilst Fulham claimed a late penalty for handball before the Referee pulled back the play for offside. Forest had further chances through Johnson which he couldn’t convert, whilst the Reds had to endure six agonising minutes of injury time, in the end however the wall of Nottingham would not be breached.
The win takes Forest, certain now of the playoffs, to within three points of second placed Bournemouth with three games left to play, whilst Forest face Swansea on Saturday, the Cherries visit Blackburn, before the two sides meet on Tuesday night in what could be a massive game for promotion.
Fulham: Rodak, Williams (Tete 77), Aderabioyo, Ream, Bryan (Muniz Rodrigo 77), Reed (Cairney 57), Seri, Wilson, Carvalho, Reid, Mitrovic.
Nottingham Forest: Samba, Worrall, Cook, McKenna, Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback (Laryea 74), Zinckernagel (Lolley 67), Johnson, Surridge (Cafu 73).
Venue: Craven Cottage
*Main image @NFFC winning goalscorer Philip Zinckernagel in action.
