Louis Saha's 24th goal of the season got runaway First Division leaders Fulham
back to winning ways in an exciting encounter at Craven Cottage.
Over the whole 90 minutes Fulham deserved their win but Forest's onslaught in
the closing 15 minutes caused some desperate moments in the home defence.
Saha's goal in the 20th minute, following good work by Luis Boa Morte, gave
Forest goalkeeper Dave Beasant no chance and the French-Portuguese partnership
caused problems to the visitors throughout.
Boa Morte thought he might have had a penalty in the 77th minute but was
booked for diving.
Substitute Karlheinz Riedle then thought he had scored with a header from a
Boa Morte corner but the referee ruled that the ball had not crossed the line.
Forest worked hard with Jim Brennan and Marlon Harewood coming closest to
scoring.
With David Johnson's long throws causing panic in the home goal area, Fulham
needed everyone on hand to repel Forest's late onslaught but they managed to
survive for only their second win in the past five games.
The pitch, in a sorry state for the previous home game, had been partially
relaid and that, with the lack of rain since Monday, helped Fulham's passing
game.
But nonetheless there is no doubt they were relieved when they heard the
referee's final whistle.
Teams:
Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Symons, Clark,
John Collins (Stolcers 80), Goldbaek (Riedle 64),
Saha (Moller 84), Boa Morte, Davis.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Neilson.
Booked: Boa Morte, Brevett.
Goals: Saha 20.
Nottm Forest: Beasant, Scimeca, Edwards, Bart-Williams, Benali,
Olsen, Jones (John 74), Andy Johnson (Williams 87), Brennan,
David Johnson, Harewood.
Subs Not Used: Roche, Hjelde, Cooper.
Booked: Benali, Brennan.
Att: 17,425
Ref: A Leake (Darwen).
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