Late Jiménez Penalty Sends Fulham Past Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage
- Footdudes
- Dec 24
- 3 min read
Fulham secured a tight 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash at Craven Cottage on Monday evening, with a late first-half penalty from Raúl Jiménez proving decisive. The win lifts Marco Silva’s side further clear of the relegation zone, while Forest remain precariously placed ahead of the busy festive schedule.
Single Moment Decides a Scrappy Encounter
In a game with few clear-cut chances, the defining moment came just before half-time.
45+5′ - Raúl Jiménez (1–0 PEN): When Forest’s Douglas Luiz fouled Kevin inside the box, Fulham were awarded a penalty in stoppage time before the break. Jiménez stepped up and calmly converted, sending Forest goalkeeper John Victor the wrong way from the spot to give his side the lead.
That penalty was Jiménez’s 11th successful Premier League spot kick without a miss, matching the perfect conversion record once held by Yaya Touré - a demonstration of the striker’s reliability from 12 yards.
Game Flow: Cautious and Structured
For much of the match, both teams struggled to create major scoring opportunities:
Fulham dominated possession early but lacked penetration in the final third.
Nottingham Forest were organised but offered minimal threat in front of goal, with only a handful of speculative efforts testing Fulham’s defence.
The first shot on target in the entire match came from Jiménez’s penalty, underscoring how tightly contested the game was.
Despite limited chances, Fulham’s defence stood firm after taking the lead. Notable defensive contributions from the backline helped neutralise Forest’s late pressure.
Managerial Reactions
Fulham manager Marco Silva acknowledged his team’s limitations on the night but emphasised the importance of the victory, especially with injuries and absences due to international call-ups affecting selection.
Forest boss Sean Dyche lamented his side’s lack of creativity and final-third impetus, highlighting that his team struggled to break down a compact Fulham defence despite being competitive for large periods.
League Context & What the Result Means
Fulham
The win takes Fulham to 13th place in the Premier League with 23 points from 17 games, moving them 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
A narrow victory like this can be vital in establishing Premier League stability during the congested festive period.
Nottingham Forest
Forest remain 17th in the table on 18 points, just five above the drop zone, with their poor away form costing them vital points.
The result leaves Forest needing to find more attacking spark if they are to climb further up the table.
Tactical Observations
Fulham’s Defensive Solidity
Fulham showed tactical discipline after taking the lead, successfully absorbing Forest’s late pressure and controlling the tempo of the game when necessary.
Forest’s Missed Opportunities
Forest’s attacking play lacked incisiveness, with only a couple of speculative attempts on goal and no shots on target until very late in the match.
Final Thoughts
Fulham’s narrow 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage was decided by a well-taken penalty from Raúl Jiménez and defined by defensive organisation on both sides. While not a spectacle of attacking football, the result was crucial for Fulham in distancing themselves from relegation danger, whereas Forest’s struggles in front of goal continue to limit their upward momentum.
With Premier League fixtures coming thick and fast, both teams will look to build on or respond to this result in the matches ahead.
Comments