Fulham 0-1 Nottingham Forest - The look back

Apr 28, 2022

Philip Zinckernagel peels away in triumph after our defensive mix-up.

Crikey, that was a frustrating 90 minutes.

We knew the visit of Nottingham Forest would be a tricky one (pun intended), and so it proved. But it rankles that we handed them the goal that proved to be the decider.

It came from Philip Zinkernagel, who caused us problems most of the game before he came off. But the story is the defensive mix-up that saw the ball trickle agonisingly slowly over the line.

Ream left a ball for Rodak, but with zero communication between the two, Zinkernagel poked home. Cue angry pointing and gesticulating. But the damage was done. And despite 75% possession and 20 shots, we couldn't grab one back.

We knew one goal would be all it took, with Bournemouth 3-0 down at Swansea, but a frankly farcical performance from referee Keith Stroud, coupled with our own inability to put the ball in the net, was frustrating the Craven Cottage faithful. And when word came in that the Cherries had pulled it back to 3-3 in Wales, the atmosphere and game fizzled out.

We'll know before we kick off against Luton what we need to do to secure the title in front of a home crowd, with Bournemouth playing on the Saturday. But make no mistake: it is vitally important we do so. It'll be our first title in two decades. And the fans deserve to see it lifted in SW6, not in Sheffield.

WHAT THEY SAID

▪️Marco Silva: It wasn't a good game to watch. The players wanted to get the job done tonight but we didn't perform at our best level at all. But the pressure of completion is the best pressure to have. We have to learn from this"

▪️Sammy James: Frustrating game, but personally not worried. Forest had everything to play for, whilst we have very little. Only difference between us and the most in-form team in the division was a mistake. Seri was impeccable, and please can we stop putting on Muniz to chase games.

▪Dom Betts: If we win title on Monday and Forest pip Bournemouth to 2nd all is forgiven.