Nottingham Forest returned to losing ways after they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Ross McCormack scored a first half hat trick which punished Forest for yet another slow start and again gave them too much to do. Henri Lansbury scored either side of half-time but it wasn't enough for Forest to get anything out of the game.
Fulham's attacking threat was shown from the first whistle as McCormack tested Dorus De Vries in the Forest goal who made a superb acrobatic save. However, McCormack got the better of the keeper in the 7th minute as his left footed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the area gave Fulham a 1-0 lead. McCormack then again punished Forest in the 18th minute as he popped up in a similar position and stuck the ball into the same corner as he previously had minutes earlier but this time the post came to his aid. Forest were giving the £11 million striker far too much room and space for a player of his quality and he was punishing them. Britt Assombalonga got his first chance of the game after a poor header but the Fulham keeper did well. One player who was playing well for Forest was Dorus De Vries who produced another save to deny Fofana. Eric Lichaj was taken off after half an hour after a dismal display and was replaced by McLaughlin. Ross McCormack then sealed his hat trick in the 35th minute as his deflected strike made it 3-0 to Fulham. A well worked free-kick did get Forest a slimmer of hope before half-time as Henri Lansbury curled one around the wall and into the top right hand corner to make it 3-1.
Forest came out for the second half looking a different team with arguably nothing to lose after a first half performance which left them with a lot to do. Jack Hobbs had an effort cleared off the line which signified Forest's intentions. Michail Antonio also then had a header saved as Forest piled the pressure on the home side. Forest then pulled another goal back to make it 3-2. Ben Osborn played a good ball into Michail Antonio who chested it down in the area and laid it off for Henri Lansbury to smash into the corner of the net in the 62nd minute. Assombalonga then had several great chances to level the scores, but failed to do so. One of his attempts was a failed lob of the keeper when he perhaps should have done better. Michail Antonio fired wide to end what was a very frustrating evening for Forest.
Overall, it was a very strange and disappointing evening at Craven Cottage. It is a shame that Forest could not build on the euphoria of beating Derby County just a couple of days previous. It is also disappointing that it was yet another slow start to a match which has ultimately cost us three points. If Forest had played like they had in the second in the first half, they would no doubt be coming home with all three points. It is games like this that Forest have to play ugly to start with to make sure they do not give themselves too much to do. Going 3-0 down after 35 minutes is unacceptable from any team in any division.
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