Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest LIVE – Premier League latest as Raul Jimenez penalty puts hosts ahead before half-time

JIMENEZ PENALTY SECURES FULHAM ALL THREE POINTS AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS

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

Despite both sides being clear of the relegation zone going into Christmas, it would be Fulham who would claim all three points and move 13th in the Premier League table, ten points clear of the drop.

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 after and Jimenez could only find the side-netting with a header in front of goal.

The turning point would come in stoppage time before half-time as Douglas 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 penalty record in the Premier League of 11 goals from 11 penalties intact.

Forest would start 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 succumbed to his drought in front of goal as Forest players crowded the striker, who is yet to claim his first goal in England.

Substitute Tom Cairney would also test Victor in goal with a effort from distance forcing a full-stretch save in the 72nd minute, but it was Raul Jimenez, who 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 fast post.

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