Philip Zinckernagel’s first-half goal clinched a huge win for Nottingham Forest as they toppled already-promoted Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.
The Reds guaranteed themselves a top-six finish with the victory. And with second-placed Bournemouth only managing a draw against Swansea City, the gap between the two sides was cut to three points.
A breathless first half saw both sides have a real go and create decent chances. Forest were dangerous on the counter, but also looked to take the game to their opponents. And it was Zinckernagel’s goal which gave them the advantage at the break.
Read more: Re-live the action from Craven Cottage
Read more: Steve Cooper names his Forest team to face Fulham
The Reds had looked to get on the front foot from the off. Jack Colback tried his luck early on, while Sam Surridge couldn’t quite get to Brennan Johnson’s ball across the face a few minutes later.
It was a speedy break which eventually paid off on the quarter-hour - with Steve Cooper setting his team on their way. The head coach chucked the ball to Colback to ensure he could take a quick throw-in. The midfielder found Sam Surridge, who played a lovely ball through for Zinckernagel.
The Dane then showed great determination as he capitalised on a mess at the back to force his way past the defender and somehow poke the ball home. With Bournemouth losing 2-0 to Swansea City at the time, it had the potential to be a crucial goal.
Fulham were fighting to clinch the title, though, and they weren’t about to give up lightly. Brice Samba had to make a strong save to thwart Fabio Carvalho, who also fired one shot over and another into the side-netting before the half was out. Mitrovic, meanwhile, curled a free-kick off target.
The visitors did have opportunities to extend their lead. Colback drew Marek Rodak into action again, and Zinckernagel drove a decent chance straight at the goalkeeper.
Mitrovic headed over soon after the re-start. But Forest were close to making it 2-0, with Surridge being denied by a fine save as he got on the end of Johnson’s cross.
It took an outstanding save from Samba to keep it at 1-0 with 65 minutes gone. The Reds stopper thwarted Carvalho with a diving fingertip stop.
Johnson was then denied late on as he got on the end of Richie Laryea’s cross. Fulham threw everything at Forest in the closing minutes, but an outstanding defensive display kept them at bay. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Craven Cottage.
Brice Samba: Made two really good saves to keep out Fabio Carvalho. The one in the second half with his fingertips was just stunning. Rating: 9/10
Joe Worrall: A rock - against such dangerous opponents who chucked everything bar the kitchen sink at the visitors. A real captain’s performance, with some important blocks as the hosts piled forward. Rating: 9/10
Steve Cook: Back in the starting XI. And straight in with a thumping tackle on Aleksandar Mitovic that left the Fulham man in a heap. Made for nights like this. Rating: 9/10
Scott McKenna: Imperious at the back. Threw himself at absolutely everything, including ensuring he was first to a corner, ahead of Mitrovic, in the first half. Rating: 9/10
Djed Spence: Had three Fulham players swarming around him at one point as they tried to keep a lid on him. Switched to the left when Jack Colback departed. Rating: 8/10
Ryan Yates: Dug in when the Cottagers tried to turn the screw. Weighed in with no end of tackles and challenges as the hosts piled forwards towards the end. Rating: 8/10
James Garner: Put in one heck of a shift. The Reds came under plenty of pressure at times, but held his own and showed his usual composure on the ball. Rating: 8/10
Jack Colback: Alert to the possibility of causing the hosts a problem as he took a super-quick throw - and it paid off with a goal. Tried to get on the scoresheet himself a couple of times. Rating: 8/10
Philip Zinckernagel: Terrific desire and determination to get his goal. Work-rate throughout was phenomenal, he ran himself into the ground and looked to be struggling by the time he came off. Rating: 8.5/10
Brennan Johnson: Such a threat on the counter. Put the ball on a plate for Surridge a couple of times with some delightful balls across the face of goal. Rating: 8.5/10
Sam Surridge: Lovely assist for Zinckernagel. Had a couple of really good chances to find the net, being denied by a great save with one of them. Rating: 8/10
Subs
Joe Lolley (for Zinckernagel, 66mins): Some really positive runs. Like the rest of his teammates, worked so hard during his time on the pitch. Rating: 8/10
Cafu (for Surridge, 73mins): A typical cameo appearance by the midfielder, who got stuck in from the off. Rating: 8/10
Richie Laryea (for Colback, 75mins): Made a superb run to tee up Johnson late on. A shame the youngster was denied by a block. Rating: 8/10
Subs not used: Horvath, Mighten, Silva, Figueiredo.
