On Saturday, Fulham ended Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten start to the season, by winning 1-0 at the City Ground. In what was a very even match for long periods, with chances at a premium, a controversial penalty converted by Raúl Jiménez was the difference. So what can both sides take from the game?
Forest and PGMOL, a never ending story
Here we go again. Another week another refereeing controversy regarding Nottingham Forest. Nuno merely described it as a bad day, stating he hopes that referee’s get better, which was probably a wise move after last week’s sending off at Brighton. That red card was rescinded this week, but referee John Smith, in only his seventh Premier League game, didn’t do anything to brighten the mood around refereeing at the City Ground.
The decisive penalty incident was bizarre. It looked like it had been given for a push by Murillo on Andreas Pereira, but on closer inspection Murillo does make contact with his foot. It falls in to the category of soft. It is a penalty by the letter of the law, but if that is being given, there needs to be consistency. Forest were incensed by Calvin Bassey’s challenge on Anthony Elanga and had shouts for a penalty in the first half when Joachim Anderson caught Taiwo Awoniyi and Bassey pushed Elliot Anderson. We were told the bar for contact had been raised but Saturday called this into question again. They would have all been soft, but if you give one soft one, where do you stop?
Fulham back up beating one unbeaten side, by beating another!
Last weekend, Fulham were mightily impressive in beating Newcastle at Craven Cottage. This win took a very different kind of performance, but it was a performance to be proud of and led Marco Silva to suggest there was more to come from his side. He said he was pleased with the character shown by his side.
Fulham had the fourth most shots on target in the Premier League going in to the game, but it was their defensive nouse that shone through on Saturday, nullifying Forest who had opened the scoring in every single one of their Premier League games this season. With the back four possessing towering height, physicality and good ability on the ball, they were comfortable for long periods and were barely troubled by Forest, despite a raft of changes late on. When the game did break up, with the pace of Iwobi and Traore, the nous of Jiménez and Smith-Rowe growing with every game, they possess the quality to challenge teams at the other end.
In getting to 11 points, it equals their record best start to a top flight season, which was 20 years ago. There is a long way to go, but Marco Silva’s side have a lovely balance of pace, flair and defensive know how and it is easy to see why they are likely to at the very least, be comfortably in mid-table and with the right conditions could challenge for Europe.
A change of shape leads to the wrong kind of outcome
Forest and Nuno have got a lot of plaudits for the way they have set up and the tactical awareness shown, but Saturday was the first time this season that could be called into question. With Morgan Gibbs-White suspended, Forest were going to have to make a change, but it was anticipated that Ramon Sosa or Jota Silva would slot into that role. However, when the team sheet came out, there was a lot of head scratching in the press box. Nuno picked four central midfielders and two strikers. While the ambition to pick two strikers was applauded, many couldn’t see how Forest were going to set up. As it was the overload of midfielders and lack of width and creativity, led to a very passive and almost pre-season like feel to the first half.
Nuno did change it in the second half but it was to no avail. He brought on a raft of players with pace, but with Fulham having a lead to defend, they were just allowed to sit deep and soak up the pressure. Forest have relied heavily on Gibbs-White since he joined them, and the belief was that with the balance now in the squad, although he would be missed, Saturday was the first time they could cope without him. On this evidence, Forest still need him as much as ever.
Landmark day for Raúl Jiménez
In scoring the decisive goal, Raúl Jiménez became the second Mexican to score 50 Premier League goals, after and is now just three goals behind Javier Hernandez’s record. Having started the season behind Muniz, Jiménez has taken his chance with both hands and was a focal point for the Fulham attack all afternoon. The former Wolves man has often been criticised for his goalscoring output but does now have 50 goals in 165 Premier League appearances. It is an even more incredible achievement for Jiménez, especially considering his horrific injury in 2020 while playing for Wolves at Arsenal.
Fulham’s impressive start to the season will be put to the test next weekend as they go to Manchester City. Having beaten two unbeaten sides in successive weeks, Fulham will go believing they can do the same to one of the final two unbeaten sides in the Premier League. Forest face a daunting prospect of going to Stamford Bridge next Sunday, but will be hoping to rise to the challenge as they have done at Anfield and the Amex in recent weeks. One thing is for sure, both sides will need to be infinitely better next weekend!