Fulham 0 : 1 Nottingham Forest

Forest put a significant dent in the gap between them and second-placed Bournemouth as they recorded took all three points at Craven Cottage against already promoted Fulham.

The night could have been even better for Steve Cooper’s men as Bournemouth fell to a 3-0 deficit at Swansea, which they eventually hauled back to 3-3.

That leaves Forest three points behind the south coast side, and with Both having three games left, their clash on 3rd May in Dorset grows in statia and importance.

Although Fulham controlled the game with 74.5% possession and managing 20 shots , they failed to seriously trouble Forest keeper Brice Samba more than once.

Watford loanee midfielder Philip Zinckernagel scored the key goal in 15 minutes. Despite being on forn lately, Tim Ream played his role in a mix up with Marek Rodak allowing the Austrian to nip in and poke Sam Surridge’s pass slowly goalwards.

Fabio Carvalho, Aleksander Mitrovic and Ream were among those who flunkecdchances but Forest came closest to the next goal. Only Rodak’s excellent positioning and smart reflexes stopped Surridge’s point-blank effort, having been fed by an excellent cross from Brennan Johnson.

Samba was really only tested once but his spectacular diving save denied Carvalho whose curled effort was tipped around the post by the Congolese keeper.

Much as Fulham huffed and puffed, it was clear that Forest had sufficient bodies at the back to protect Samba.

Now guaranteed at least a play-off, Forest can make a concerted charge at Bournemouth’s second place.

They have won eight of their last nine in the league, with only one defeat due to that dubious penalty at Luton interrupting their run. Bournemouth have won just one of their last six games.

Unless they Cherries win all three remaining games, Fulham will be crowned champions in one of the slowest coronation ceremonies, even in a monarchy full of pomp like England.

Lineups:
Fulham: (4-2-3-1) Rodak; Bryan, Adarabioyo, Ream, Williams; Seri, Reed; Wilson, Carvalho, Decordova-Reid; Mitrovic

Nottingham Forest (3-4-1-2) Samba; Worrall, Cook, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback; Zinckernagel; Johnson, Surridge

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