AliousNottingham Forest struggled to match Fulham’s intensity as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage—a game they’ll be eager to put behind them as quickly as possible.
From the outset, Forest never quite looked comfortable. Nuno Espirito Santo once again opted for a three-man central defense, the same setup that had been so effective in the 7-0 thrashing of Brighton. However, this time, the system failed to deliver the same results. Fulham’s goals came from Emile Smith Rowe and Calvin Bassey, either side of Chris Wood’s composed finish—his 18th goal of the season—following a well-worked move from Morgan Gibbs-White.
Despite the loss, there’s no need for panic at the City Ground. Forest still sit in third place in the Premier League, and with both Newcastle and Chelsea suffering heavy defeats over the weekend, their position remains strong.
### Dion Dublin Weighs in on Espirito Santo’s Response
Espirito Santo cut a frustrated figure in his post-match interview, which is no surprise—managers having to face the media immediately after a disappointing result can often lead to tense moments. However, former Premier League striker Dion Dublin, speaking on *Final Score* for the BBC, suggested that the Forest boss will take a measured approach in training rather than making drastic changes.
“He won’t do anything rash,” Dublin said. “He will have his say with the players, but he’ll get back on the training ground, and it will be business as usual. There’s no need for him to go overboard—Fulham are a decent side.”
### No Cause for Concern – Forest’s Focus Shifts to Newcastle
This was always going to be a challenging fixture. Coming off the back of a midweek penalty shootout win, Forest had limited time to prepare, and facing a well-organized Fulham side away from home was never going to be straightforward.
With a full week before their next match against Newcastle, Forest have a valuable opportunity to regroup and sharpen up on the training ground. Espirito Santo has set high standards this season, and his squad has largely risen to the challenge. Now, the goal will be to ensure they are in top shape for their trip to St. James’ Park.
The upcoming clash with Newcastle carries significant weight. Forest currently hold a six-point advantage over Eddie Howe’s side, and a victory would extend that gap to a commanding nine points—a massive incentive as the battle for European places heats up.
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