Player ratings: Fulham 2-0 Nottingham Forest

George Rossiter pens his thoughts on the Fulham boys after a deserved victory.

Fulham returned to winning ways in the Premier League after a dominant display against Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest. After a number of attempts hitting the woodwork, the Whites killed the game late on to chop down any lasting Forest hopes. Marco Silva’s men move onto 35 points, a tally which has only seen one side relegated in the last seven seasons.

Bernd Leno

The German was notably impressive at commanding his box in this game, coming out to many dangerous crosses and punching with purpose to clear any danger. While Forest did create at stages in the game, Leno’s standout moment was undoubtedly a wonderful save from an Emmanuel Dennis headed effort in the second half to help keep another clean sheet. 8/10

Kenny Tete

Scarpa was afforded very little joy down the wing as Tete Scarpa’d any advances he made down the Forest left, if you’ll pardon the pun. It’s been said many times but the Dutchman’s relationship with Bobby Reid is critical to how Fulham play. Not only do the pair link up impeccably, but their understanding of when to fill in for each other is superb too. 7.5/10

Issa Diop

I never expected to be saying this but Diop reminds me of the role Chris Basham played for the wonderful Chris Wilder Sheffield United side in the Premier League in Covid times. His willingness to overlap the winger or full-back if Fulham need another man in the attack is joyful to watch. His eagerness to defend aggressively and on the front foot hugely benefits this Fulham side. 8/10

Tim Ream

I’m running out of superlatives. Even when you find criticisms like Ream’s pace, he ends up proving you wrong by chasing down a Forest attacking player and pulling off an impeccable challenge in the penalty area. The American’s faultless composure in any situation is just outrageously good. While there are certainly other contenders, I just can’t overlook the man’s consistency and brilliance throughout the 90 minutes. 9/10 – Man of the match

Antonee Robinson

Robinson has been consistently good this year but I thought he was fantastic at the Cottage this weekend. His pace was more than a match for Gibbs-White and Johnson who he coped well against defensively. His attacking play and intent was as good as it has been all season, the man never stopped running up and down his flank. 8.5/10

Joao Palhinha

The sort of game that makes you realise a player’s skill set is so broad and brilliant when they’re performing at the level Palhinha is. For all the passing and regaining of possession, against tough opponents, especially Gibbs-White here, his ability to use his body to dictate how he plays his game was incredible to watch. 7.5/10

Harrison Reed

It was nice to see that were no serious worries over a potential knee injury which had come in the week proceeding the game. Against difficult midfield opponents in Mangala, Freuler and the previously mentioned Gibbs-White, Reed imposed himself well on the game, as always consistently winning the second balls in midfield. 7/10

Andreas Pereira

The composure Andreas showed in the 88th minute with the Hammersmith End screaming ‘shooooooot’ at him, to find Solomon free in the box, was brilliant. He was unlucky not to score himself from a free-kick that struck the bar, an example of how good his set pieces are at the moment. That’s now six assists for the season for our Brazilian maestro. 7.5/10

Bobby De Cordova-Reid

As previously mentioned, the relationship Bobby has with Tete down the right-hand side is so important. That link-up plus his consistently good performances are the reason he’s keeping quality alternatives such as Solomon and Wilson out of the side. 7/10

Willian

I mean, what can you even say? How does this man even play for our football club? I apologise for the overload of love here but it’s rare a player of this ability graces the Cottage every other week in black and white. What a strike, what a performance. Nottingham Forest’s defenders couldn’t lay a glove on Willian, he just glided from one blade of grass to another without a care in the world. I love him. Sign him up for another year. 9/10

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Tricky one to judge Mitro on today. While it would be unfair to say it was a poor performance, there was obvious frustrations in the Serb’s game. Only a number of half chances arose, bar one that Mitro himself created, had that gone in we’d be talking about a goal of the season contender. There’s no need to worry yet, the goals will come and will come in bucket loads any game now. 6/10

Substitutes

Manor Solomon (72’ for Willian)

The sort of player that gets you off your seat every single time he’s on the ball. Never ever afraid to take on his defender, and today added a beautifully composed finish to a number of exciting recent cameos. Absolutely delighted for Solomon, who’s had a really tough couple of years. 8/10

Carlos Vinicius (84’ for Aleksandar Mitrovic)

Added some energy in the press that Mitro had maybe slightly stopped offering as the game went on and his frustration grew, so props to Vinicius for that. 6.5/10

Harry Wilson (84’ for Bobby De Cordova-Reid)

Didn’t look as slick and dangerous as he did in the Sunderland game in the week and looked like he wanted too much time on the ball when it came to him. 6/10.

Sasa Lukic and Cedric came on for Andreas Pereira and Kenny Tete, but too late to fairly judge them, however it’s safe to say we’re all delighted to see them make their debuts at the Cottage.