Calvin Bassey nets first goal of the season as Fulham edge Nottingham Forest

Calvin Bassey nets first goal of the season as Fulham edge Nottingham Forest

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.

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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.

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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