A coolly converted penalty by Raúl Jiménez was the difference as Fulham secured a gritty 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in a tense Premier League encounter at Craven Cottage. The win marks Fulham’s sixth victory in their last seven meetings with Forest and lifts them to 13th in the table, while Forest remain 17th.
The Decisive Moment: A Penalty Masterclass
The match’s defining moment arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. Fulham’s Kevin Schade—referred to affectionately as “Kevin” throughout the match—drove into the box from the left and was brought down by Douglas Luiz’s outstretched leg. After a lengthy VAR check confirmed both the foul and that there was no offside in the build-up, the responsibility fell to Raúl Jiménez.
The Mexican striker displayed nerves of steel, pausing twice in his run-up to send Forest goalkeeper John Victor the wrong way before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner. The goal tied a Premier League record, as Jiménez is now a perfect 11 out of 11 from the penalty spot, joining Yaya Touré at the top of the all-time list for 100% penalty success (minimum 10 taken).
“I like to have the pressure and I’m happy to score,” Jiménez told Sky Sports after the match, smiling when corrected on his flawless record. “It’s something I have trained my whole career… more penalties to come, I’ll be there!”
Match Summary: A Game of Frustration
The match itself was a tight, often frustrating affair with few clear-cut chances. Fulham controlled the first half better but lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Nottingham Forest improved after the break, enjoying more possession and territory, but failed to truly test Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who commanded his area well.
Fulham’s defense, marshaled superbly by Joachim Andersen—who was named Player of the Match—stood firm against late Forest pressure. The visitors’ frustration boiled over in the 82nd minute when Nikola Milenkovic and Jorge Cuenca were both booked after a scuffle following a missed chance.
Manager Reactions
- Marco Silva (Fulham): “We are very happy and pleased for the players… the three points were massive for us… we managed the second half well off the ball. I don’t remember one chance from Nottingham.”
- Sean Dyche (Nottingham Forest): “It was one of those frustrating nights… I didn’t think we did enough to lose it, but we didn’t get anything from it… that fire and intent was lacking. That edge that we showed in abundance last weekend wasn’t quite there tonight.”
What’s Next
The result sets up a busy festive period for both sides:
Fulham’s upcoming fixtures:
- Dec 27: West Ham United (A)
- Jan 1: Crystal Palace (A)
- Jan 4: Liverpool (H)
- Jan 7: Chelsea (H)
Nottingham Forest’s upcoming fixtures:
- Dec 27: Manchester City (H)
- Dec 30: Everton (H)
- Jan 3: Aston Villa (A)
- Jan 6: West Ham United (A)
For Fulham, the victory provides a crucial platform. For Forest and Sean Dyche, the search for consistency—and points—continues as they hover just above the relegation zone.
