Calvin Bassey’s first goal of the season proved decisive as Fulham edged past third-placed Nottingham Forest with a hard-fought victory at Craven Cottage their first Premier League home win of 2025.
The hosts struck early, with Adama Traoré showcasing his creative brilliance in the 15th minute.
Instead of driving to the byline, the winger cut inside onto his left foot and curled a pinpoint cross to the back post. Emile Smith Rowe timed his run perfectly, shaking off Morato and Ola Aina to nod the ball past Matz Sels.
However, Forest responded eight minutes before halftime, courtesy of some outstanding centre-forward play from Chris Wood.
The New Zealand striker latched onto Morgan Gibbs-White’s lofted pass, turned sharply, and fired a low shot that deflected off Bassey before nestling into the corner.
Fulham dominated proceedings after the break, with Raúl Jiménez and Traoré both going close. Their persistence paid off in the 62nd minute when Bassey rose highest to power home a header.
Jiménez flicked on a corner, and Bassey outmuscled Aina at the back post, sending a looping header beyond Sels into the net.
The victory lifted Fulham to eighth in the table, just five points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, while Forest’s grip on third place weakened as they now sit only three points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side.