Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey was the hero as Fulham secured a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, extending their dominance in this fixture with a fifth win in six Premier League meetings.
Fulham started strongly, capitalizing on Forest’s slow start. Adama Traoré tormented Neco Williams down the right flank before delivering a perfect cross that Emile Smith-Rowe headed home to give the hosts an early lead. Fulham nearly doubled their advantage when Raúl Jiménez’s header forced a brilliant save from Matz Sels.
Despite being outplayed in the first half, Forest found an equalizer before the break. Morgan Gibbs-White’s lofted ball found Chris Wood, who controlled well before smashing in his 18th league goal of the season.
READ MORE:Super Eagles to face Russia in controversial International Friendly
With the game finely poised, Fulham needed a moment of magic—and Bassey provided it. Early in the second half, the Super Eagles defender pounced at the back post, steering in Jiménez’s flick-on to restore Fulham’s lead.
The goal was Bassey’s first of the season and only his second-ever Premier League goal, ending a 24-game scoring drought.
Beyond his goal, Bassey put in a commanding defensive display, shutting down Forest’s late attempts to snatch a point. Callum Hudson-Odoi tested Bernd Leno in the dying moments, but the Fulham shot-stopper was equal to the effort.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
The victory keeps Fulham in the hunt for European football, while Forest’s top-half ambitions took a hit. For Bassey, it was a moment to savour—his first goal of the season arriving at the perfect time to seal three crucial points.
Source: The Athletic NG