Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham - Forest run riot with early flourish to secure massive win over Fulham

Morgan Gibbs-White led the charge as Nottingham Forest boosted their survival hopes with an impressive 3-1 victory over Fulham at the City Ground.

The hosts made a rampant start with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood putting Nuno Espirito Santo’s men two up inside 19 minutes.

Marco Silva could not hide his fury and dismay on the touchline and made an extraordinary triple change after just 33 minutes.

It made little difference initially as the hosts netted a third goal on the stroke of half-time when Gibbs-White coolly slotted into the corner following a neat one-two with Danilo.

Silva would have demanded a response from his team in the second half and he got one within four minutes of the restart as Tosin Adarabioyo nodded in a left-wing corner.

Both sides then took turns to attack in a frenetic encounter with Neco Williams and Kenny Tete rattling the woodwork at either end.

Fulham were a major threat in a real contrast to their tepid first-half display but could not find a second goal to threaten a sensational comeback.

The result moves Forest three points clear of the drop zone having played a game more than 18th-placed Luton Town, who visit Arsenal on Wednesday night. Fulham remain 12th despite another dismal performance on their travels.

Next up, Fulham host Newcastle on Saturday. Forest visit Tottenham on Sunday.

This was a victory that Nuno and his coaching staff will savour and given Fulham’s away form, was no doubt pinpointed as must-win behind closed doors.

The Reds believe they have been on the wrong end of some poor decisions of late and have endured some narrow defeats to sit alongside a flurry of frustrating draws. This will therefore feel like this is the perfect tonic and the boost their need as just a second league win of 2024 – and one of their best displays of the campaign – will provide them with real impetus going into the business end of their survival push.

It’s four points from two games since Forest suffered their deduction and there’s a real sense that the players and coaching staff are aiming to make that all academic and channel their frustrations into ensuring the City Ground hosts top-flight football again next season.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest). The playmaker produced a virtuoso display, chalking up an assist and a well-taken goal while continually creating openings for team-mates against a beleaguered Fulham backline.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Sels 8, Williams 8, Aina 8, Murillo 8, Omobamidele 8, Yates 8, Danilo 8, Gibbs-White 9, Wood 8, Hudson-Odoi 8, Elanga 8. Subs: Origi 6, Reyna 6, Toffolo n/a, Dominguez n/a,

FULHAM: Leno 6, Tosin 7, Bassey 6, Tete 6, Robinson 7, Iwobi 4, Lukic 4, Palhinha 6, Pereira 6, Wilson 4, Muniz 6. Subs: Cairney 7, Willian 7, Traore 7, Reed 6, De Cordova Reid 6.

09’ – GOAL! – Nottingham Forest 1-0 Fulham: (Hudson-Odoi). The hosts are off to a flyer! Hudson-Odoi motors free into the inside left channel on to Gibbs-White’s incisive pass. He cuts back inside the area and it initially appears like the chance is gone, but he has other ideas and whips a wonderful, low shot into the far corner.

19’ – GOAL! – Nottingham Forest 2-0 Fulham: (Wood). It's two and it's the in-form Wood who is allowed to turn with his back to goal and curl a sumptuous low shot into the corner from 22-yards out.

45+2’ – GOAL! – Nottingham Forest 3-0 Fulham: (Gibbs-White). It's been a magnificent performance from Gibbs-White and he gets the goal his showing deserves by playing a one-two with Danilo and coolly slotting into the far corner.

49’ – GOAL! – Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham: (Tosin). The away side pull one back! Tosin Adarabioyo is left free to meet a left-wing delivery and loop a header into the far corner.

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