Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest – Raul Jimenez penalty secures victory for Marco Silva's side

Raul Jimenez’s penalty on the stroke of half-time made the difference as Fulham beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

The win sees Fulham move up to 13th in the Premier League table, 10 points clear of the drop, while Forest are five points above the relegation zone.

Fulham started quick, but the game would become stop-start for much of the first half, with the crowd growing restless as wayward passes summed up proceedings.

Douglas Luiz fired an ambitious effort from 30 yards out wide of the target for Forest, whilst Kevin saw his chance for the hosts take a deflection and Jimenez could only find the side-netting with a header in front of goal.

The turning point would come in first-half stoppage-time as Luiz fouled Kevin in the penalty box, leaving referee Anthony Taylor no choice but to point to the spot.

It was a long, stuttering run-up by Jimenez to send John Victor the wrong way and find the bottom left-hand corner to keep his flawless record in the Premier League of 11 goals from 11 penalties intact.

Forest started the second half better as Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was forced into action to deny Neco Williams, before Murillo launched an effort from outside the box and Morgan Gibbs-White fired wide of the post.

The Cottagers had a chance to add to their lead in the 69th minute when Kevin was threaded through on goal, but Forest players crowded the striker, who is yet to claim his first goal in England.

Substitute Tom Cairney would also test Victor with an effort from distance forcing a full-stretch save in the 72nd minute, but Jimenez should have scored his second of the match to wrap up all three points in the 84th minute when he met Tete’s dangerous cross into the box before seeing his header flash wide of the far post.  

Fulham face struggling West Ham at the London Stadium on December 27, whilst Nottingham Forest host Manchester City on December 27, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.

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It's all over at Craven Cottage.

Fulham hold onto seal all three points against Nottingham Forest, thanks to a Raul Jimenez penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Nicolas Dominguez joins the club.

Joachim Andersen is booked for dissent.

A late change for Forest as Arnaud Kalimuendo comes on to replace Callum Hudson-Odoi

Can Forest find an equaliser? Will Fulham hold on?

A final roll of the dice from Marco Silva and an opportunity to rest a few players.

On: Diop, Kusi-Asare, Traore

Off: Smith Rowe, Jimenez, Wilson

Fulham should have their second courtesy of Raul Jimenez as he sees his header flash wide of the far post.

It was an absolute peach of a cross into the box by Tete.

Nikola Milenkovic seems to not have taken too kindly to missing a header in front of goal and engages in a bit of tussle with Cuenca.

Both are booked for their part.

And here is that change as Oleksandr Zinchenko replaces Savona.

10 minutes for Nottingham Forest to find an equaliser and it looks like Sean Dyche is about to make another change.

Josh King replaces Kevin, who is still yet to score his first goal in England.

To the relief of Marco Silva, Harry Wilson is able to walk away but he does go into the book for the foul.

Harry Wilson goes down in agony after a tackle and requires treatment.

Sean Dyche opts for a triple change in hope of finding the missing piece in this game and the equaliser.

On: McAtee, Dominguez, Awoniyi

Off: Gibbs-White, Douglas Luiz, Igor Jesus

Moments after Forest think they should have got a free-kick, Cairney forces John Victor in a full-stretch save from range.

It's not hit with a ton of conviction but it does have enough to trouble Victor in goal.

Murillo is the next name to go into the book for Forest.

It's an absolutely beautiful ball to play in Kevin, who runs free on goal, but he lacks the confidence to shoot and the opportunity is gone as Forest players crowd him.

Tom Cairney comes on for Sander Berge.