Nottingham Forest suffered another second half blitz as they struggle to get a hold on life in the Premier League.
Taiwo Awonyi put them ahead after 11 minutes, but in a repeat of their collapse against Bournemouth, Fulham blasted in three in five minutes and 18 seconds of the second half. Sub Lewis O’Brien gave Forest hope of salvaging something 13 minutes from time but Fulham were too wise for them.
It leaves Forest with four successive defeats and manager Steve Cooper a lot to do to knit together his 22 signings into a team capable of staying in the top flight. Tosin Adarabioyo launched the comeback in the 54th minute and Joao Palhinha (57) and Harrison Reed (60) followed him to give the Cottagers victory.
Reed said; "From the first whistle in our first game of the season, we have been on the front foot. We have made it difficult against the big teams as well.
"The manager had some words with us at half time about where we could hurt them. There is a really good feeling around the club."
Captain Tim Ream added: "We had a good chat at half-time and to come from behind away from home to win is one of the most satisfying things you can do.
"We didn't stop and picked it up in second half and scored three fantastic goals. We take a lot of time and care to make sure we get the set-pieces right. I thought we saw the game out really well in last ten minutes."
With nine goals conceded in their previous two games, Forest brought in Willy Boly, all 6ft 5 inches of him, to try and bring confidence to a suspect defence. But there is nothing better than an early goal to get the blood pumping and Awonyi saw to that.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s corner was met by Ryan Yates and his header glanced away to Awonyi for him to head Forest in front from six yards at the far post. They were 2-0 ahead against Bournemouth but collapsed to a 3-2 and this was a fresh examination of what the future will look like.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, who got two the last time Fulham were at the City Ground and belted four past Forest in the Championship in October, had Dean Henderson scrambling to save shortly after.
Mitrovic's Craven Cottage demolition job last term was Cooper’s first defeat as Forest boss, but he’s tasting a few more now.
Forest’s plan was to hit Fulham on a quick break from defence and they did it twice in the early minutes of the second half. When you are playing the percentages like that you need to take those moments and Forest didn’t, a dangerous game to play.
The fact that Gibbs-White was full of ideas in midfield maintained Forest as a threat but they were undone by a simple corner and set play: Willian sent the ball over and central defender Adarabioyd peeled away, got himself in position and headed Fulham level. Simple.
But Palhinha’s goal five minutes later was a cracker. Kenny Tete set it up with a square pass and Palhinha rocketed it in.
Forest were reeling and were knocked out by Reed. Bobby De Cordova Reid made this one down the left side, and ex-Southampton midfielder Reed just smashed another one past Henderson.
O’Brien made a difference when he came on and Fulham caved under the new pressure as he returned with interest a poor clearance.
But Forest couldn't rally and claim a share of the spoils, allowing Fulham to move into the top six.
