Joe Hart had goalkeepers’ union praise and probably a lot of empathy for Matz Sels after watching Nottingham Forest slip to a defeat at Fulham in the Premier League.
Fulham ran out 2-1 winners at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from Emile Smith-Rowe and Calvin Bassey, either side of an equaliser from Chris Wood. But the post-match stats suggested what Alan Shearer would call ‘total dominance’ for the home side, who racked up 24 shots to Forest’s 10, including 10 on target to Forest’s two. They had 2.24 expected goals according to Opta while Forest were at 0.4 and 37 touches in the opposition box compared to 16.
Hart’s main analysis on Match of the Day focused on Fulham’s wing destroyer Adama Traore but he finished with praise for Forest keeper Sels, who is having a fantastic season under Nuno Espirito Santo.”He had an incredible game, he kept it respectable,” said Hart.
Shearer and Gary Lineker were in agreement about who deserved the points on the day, leaving Forest in third, three points ahead of Manchester City and four clear of Bournemouth and Chelsea in fifth and sixth.
Shearer said: “They are a very good side, Fulham. There was nothing lucky about that result – 24 shots, 10 on target. It was total dominance from Fulham. He’s got them playing some really good football, Marco Silva. They’re a tough side to play against.”
Lineker replied: “Even for Forest, who have been going so well.”
He added: “It was an excellent and well-deserved win for Fulham.”
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