Nottingham Forest were beaten 2-1 by Fulham at Craven Cottage as the Reds failed to capitalise on Chelsea and Newcastle losing this weekend in the Premier League.
Emile Smith Rowe headed Fulham into the lead but an 18th goal of the season for Chris Wood saw Forest head into the half-time interval undeservedly level with the hosts.
The second half saw more of the same. Nuno Espirito Santo delayed with his substitutions and Calvin Bassey’s header proved to be the winning goal as Forest failed to build on the brilliant win over Brighton.
Nottingham Forest News have rated every player who featured for the Reds in this defeat for the team.
Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Fulham
Matz Sels – 9
Were it not for the saves from the Belgian goalkeeper, it would have been a cricket score. He made a number of strong stops in the opening 45 minutes including a really strong save from Jimenez. Sels continued that form into the second and made more solid stops to prove his worth during the second half too.
Murillo – 6
Not one of the Brazilian defender’s more swashbuckling performances from central defence. He played alright in parts but did some things that were largely out of character and experienced a few lapses in concentration – particularly during one moment in the first half when he allowed the ball to slop straight through his legs and out for a throw-in with nobody around him.
Nikola Milenkovic – 6
Again, solid without being spectacular. Wasn’t really required from an aerial point of view as much as he has been against some other teams of late but he was largely the commanding influence that he’s proved this season and was powerless to prevent either of the goals that were scored by Fulham.
Morato – 5
Not a brilliant afternoon for the Brazilian central defender. He allowed Emile Smith Rowe the freedom of West London to head in the opening goal and was often a little bit careless when trying to pass out from the back throughout the game, before going off in the 66th minute to be replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Ola Aina – 5
A poor performance by Aina’s usual high standards. The Nigerian was slow to close down whoever it was rampaging forward for Fulham and despite not playing against Exeter in midweek, he looked a little bit short of fitness, it has to be said. Perhaps Forest need to put a spring back in the player’s step in the coming weeks and hand him that new contract he definitely deserves.
Danilo – 4
Not to be too harsh as he’s spent a lot of time out of action through injury. After starting against Brighton and getting more minutes in the FA Cup against Exeter, this was a bridge too far. He lacked bravery when passing the ball and lost possession far too easily on a number of occasions, which almost led to Fulham scoring goals. Also allowed Raul Jimenez an easy header to set up the second goal scored by Calvin Bassey.
Elliot Anderson – 6
It has to be said that Anderson is extremely easy on the eye when it comes to having the ball at his feet. He was a little bit loose in possession at Craven Cottage but he huffed and puffed in the second half particularly when Forest were chasing the game after Bassey’s goal that put the Cottagers in front.
Neco Williams – 5
A really tough afternoon for Williams on the left-hand side operating as a wing-back. Allowed Adama Traore way too much time and space to find Smith Rowe for the opening goal and couldn’t get to grips with the speed demon of a winger throughout the contest. It was definitely one of his poorer performances in recent weeks.
Morgan Gibbs-White – 6
Grew into the game but was visibly frustrated in the opening exchanges as he was tasked with drifting out wide which has never really suited the attributes that he brings to the table. That said, he did grow into the game and tried desperately to link things up as Forest pressed for an equaliser.
Chris Wood – 7
Bagged his 18th goal of the campaign and with a nicely taken goal he’s earned himself this rating. Otherwise, he largely fed off scraps and the challenge for Forest remains to work out how to get themselves into good positions on the pitch that involve Wood being able to do what he does best and score goals.
Anthony Elanga – 6
Quiet by his usual standards, it has to be said. He certainly wasn’t given the same freedom on the right-hand side as Brighton afforded him last time out in the Premier League and he was stifled to a certain extent on the flank. Worked hard as ever and remains a positive performer in the Forest squad and one who will be so important as the season reaches a climax.
Substitutes
Ibrahim Sangare on for Danilo – 6
Didn’t really have much to do as Forest pressed hard for an equalising goal. Didn’t have many touches of the ball in truth and did win a few free kicks for Forest as he tried to marshall things in front of the back four.
Callum Hudson-Odoi on for Morato – 7
Forest played much better when he was introduced into the action. The 4-2-3-1 system that Nuno Espirito Santo likes to deploy is much more effective with Hudson-Odoi on the pitch and this was a positive return to action for the winger.
Jota Silva on for Elliot Anderson – N/A
Only came on for five minutes and had little time to stamp his authority on the game.
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