FULHAM produced an astonishing three goal burst in just five minutes to complete a City Ground comeback which lifted Marco Silva’s men into the top six.
Tosin Adarabioyo for Fulham after Taiwo Awoniyi had given Forest an early lead.
But then a spectacular Joao Palhina strike – following by Harrison Reed’s first Fulham goal turned the game on its head.
In just five minutes and 18 seconds, Silva’s side had taken command of the game – and they could have had more.
But Forest made life uncomfortable in the closing stages after sub Lewis O’Brien set up a grandstand finish with 13 minutes left.
It was another worrying game for Forest boss Steve Cooper – whose side have now lost four games in a row.
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Fulham must have done their homework as the game followed the same pattern as Forest’s defeat to Bournemouth.
Then, Forest threw away a two goal lead as the Cherries fought back to win 3-2.
This time, Cooper could only watch what was virtually a repeat showing unfolding in front of him.
The Welshman marks a year in charge at Forest this week.
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But despite breaking the British record for summer transfer activity this summer, Forest are still struggling to get up to speed in the top flight.
As for Fulham, this win puts them above Chelsea in the table and Marco Silva’s side were able to turn the screw when it mattered most.
Both sides had a fresh look to them with Fulham parading former Chelsea forward Willian for the first time along with Issa Diop making his first start since joining from West Ham.
Forest have now signed 22 players this summer after Serge Aurier joined on a free transfer – but not in time for this game due to visa issues.
Cooper gave a debut to defender Willy Boly following his move from Wolves – but Forest’s fragile defence showed no improvement.
The Forest boss said before the game that fans would have to give him time – as it was impossible to say what his best team is at the moment.
Too true. Cooper has work to do if he is to gel his new faces together.
It had all started so well for Cooper’s men who appeared to have recovered from their collapse against Bournemouth two weeks ago – only for it to happen again.
Forest went ahead through Taiwo Awoniyi who headed home after Ryan Yates flicked on a Morgan Gibbs-White corner.
But Fulham grew into the game – and when Willian outpaced Steve Cook and was brought down on the edge of the area, the Forest defender might have seen red.
The fact that ref Jared Gillett only showed a red incensed Fulham’s players who clearly felt Cook should have walked.
Aleksandar Mitrovic – celebrating his 28th birthday – brought a solid save out of Dean Henderson with a close-range header.
But Forest were looking shaky at the back and Silva’s side took full advantage after the break.
Fulham levelled after 54 minutes when Adarabioyo found space at a Willian corner to head the equaliser.
Three minutes later, a superb finish from Palhinha from 20 yards out put them ahead.
And Fulham were rampant at this stage and soon added a third when Reed netted after collecting a Bobby Decordova-Reid cross to score with a first time shot from 10 yards out.
Cooper must be fed up of Fulham – it was they who inflicted the first defeat of his Forest reign last year.
That time, Fulham scored four – and they had the better of them again here.
Andreas Pereira almost made it four direct from a free-kick but Henderson produced a flying save.
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But O’Brien’s goal lifted the City Ground fans who got behind their team in the closing stages.
It was down to Fulham to see the game out in the face of Forest pressure – and that is exactly what they did.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
