Nottingham Forest suffer top-four blow as Calvin Bassey seals Fulham victory

LONDON – Fulham put a little dent in Nottingham Forest’s English Premier League top-four aspirations, as defender Calvin Bassey’s first goal of the season sealed a deserved 2-1 home win for the London club on Feb 15.

Bassey’s only other Fulham goal came almost a year ago, but the Nigeria international produced a well-directed header in the 62nd minute to leave Forest empty-handed, despite Chris Wood scoring his 18th league goal of the season for the visitors.

“Did we see the best of Forest today? No, I think we could be better,” said their manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

“I think we lost the small battles in the game. When the ball was bouncing, we didn’t win the duels. Overall not the best performance, I think we were fortunate to get the equaliser.

“We have been working well, but we have to go better, and finish the season in a good way.”

Emile Smith Rowe headed in Adama Traore’s cross to give Fulham an early lead at Craven Cottage, but striker Wood levelled before half-time with a clinical finish.

Forest were then unable to make much of an impression after Bassey’s goal and a lively Fulham side could have added to their lead on several occasions.

While Nuno’s side remained in third place with 47 points from 25 games, Fulham are firmly in the hunt for European qualification, sitting in eighth spot with 39 points.

Forest could have no real complaints at the outcome, as they managed only two attempts on target.

“It was a competitive game. We tried to the end, but it was not possible (to equalise again),” added Nuno.

“They played good and won the game, so we have to learn and go again.”

Fulham began the match in positive fashion and nearly went in front when Raul Jimenez’s looping header went just wide of the post.

But they did not have to wait long for their reward as Traore delivered a superb in-swinging cross with his left foot and Smith Rowe timed his run to perfection to power his header past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Sels had to make a great save to deny Jimenez as the hosts dominated, but Wood equalised with the type of goal that has made him one of the surprises of the season.

He got a little lucky as a flighted pass from Morgan Gibbs-White struck him on the back to wrong-foot Fulham’s defence. But he took full advantage, producing a silky turn before planting a left-foot shot beyond Bernd Leno.

It was a similar pattern after the break with Fulham’s power and pace disrupting Forest and the hosts scored the winner as Jimenez flicked on a cross to the back post, where Bassey sealed the points with a header.

“From a collective point of view, great performance from us,” Fulham manager Marco Silva said.

“From the first minute until the last one, we were by far the best team on the pitch.” REUTERS