Nottingham Forest denied Fulham the chance to claim the Championship title with a victory at Craven Cottage that boosts the Reds' hopes of earning automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Forest's triumph, coupled with Bournemouth's draw at Swansea, means Steve Cooper's side could finish in the top two and end a 23-year top-flight absence if they win their three remaining games - which includes a trip to the second-placed Cherries next Tuesday.
A gifted first-half goal, determinedly poked home by Philip Zinckernagel after a defensive mix-up between Tim Ream and goalkeeper Marek Rodak, ensured the East Midlands club left west London with the decisive three points.
Brice Samba crucially denied Fabio Carvalho an equaliser moments after the visitors snatched the lead.
The Reds goalkeeper made a fine diving save to again foil the Portuguese forward in the second half after Championship player of the season Aleksandar Mitrovic headed over from close range and Sam Surridge was kept out by Rodak at the other end.
More to follow.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsFulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Rodák20N Williams16Tosin13Ream23Bryan6Reed24Seri8Wilson28Carvalho14De Cordova-Reid9Mitrovic
- 1Rodák20N WilliamsSubstituted forTeteat 77'minutes16Tosin13Ream23BryanSubstituted forMuniz Carvalhoat 77'minutes6ReedBooked at 18minsSubstituted forCairneyat 58'minutes24Seri8Wilson28Carvalho14De Cordova-Reid9MitrovicBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 2Tete3Hector7Kebano10Cairney12Chalobah19Muniz Carvalho21Gazzaniga
Nottm Forest
Formation 3-4-1-2
30Samba4Worrall27S Cook26McKenna2Spence22Yates37Garner8Colback11Zinckernagel20Johnson16Surridge
- 30Samba4Worrall27S Cook26McKenna2Spence22Yates37Garner8ColbackSubstituted forLaryeaat 74'minutes11ZinckernagelBooked at 28minsSubstituted forLolleyat 67'minutes20Johnson16SurridgeSubstituted forRibeiro Diasat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Horvath3Figueiredo14Laryea17Mighten18Ribeiro Dias19Costa Silva23Lolley
Referee:Josh SmithAttendance:19,218Match StatsHome TeamFulhamAway TeamNottm ForestPossessionHome75%Away25%ShotsHome20Away9Shots on TargetHome5Away6CornersHome8Away5FoulsHome6Away15Live TextPost update
Match ends, Fulham 0, Nottingham Forest 1.
90'+7'Full Time
Second Half ends, Fulham 0, Nottingham Forest 1.
90'+7'Post update
Attempt missed. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Fabio Carvalho with a headed pass.
90'+6'Post update
Attempt saved. Jean Michaël Seri (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
90'+3'Booking
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Harry Wilson following a set piece situation.
90'+1'Post update
Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Steve Cook (Nottingham Forest).
88'Post update
Attempt blocked. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jean Michaël Seri.
88'Post update
Attempt saved. Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Cafú.
87'Post update
Attempt saved. Harry Wilson (Fulham) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jean Michaël Seri.
87'Post update
Attempt blocked. Tom Cairney (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fabio Carvalho.
85'Post update
Foul by Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham).
85'Post update
Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'Post update
Attempt missed. Tim Ream (Fulham) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a set piece situation.
83'Post update
Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham) wins a free kick on the right wing.
83'Post update
Foul by Djed Spence (Nottingham Forest).
82'Post update
Offside, Nottingham Forest. Joe Lolley tries a through ball, but Scott McKenna is caught offside.
82'Post update
Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Tosin Adarabioyo.
82'Post update
Attempt blocked. Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Source: bbc.com