Jiménez dents Forest revival to lift Fulham away from trouble

Fulham are battling.

- Jacob Steinberg

Marco Silva’s options are limited and he does not have many ways to freshen up his side, but at least he can count on an experienced core and agroup willing toscrap when they areat risk of being dragged towards the relegation zone.It is putting it kindly to say this game willnotlive longinthememory. It was scrappy, stop-start and overly physical. Both teams were disappointingin the final third andit probably would have finished goalless but for Douglas Luiz’srush of blood tothe head gifting Raul Jiménez to score the goal that lifted Fulham 10 points above the bottom three before their trip to West Ham on Saturday.

Fulham fought to claima vital win. They remained disciplined during a tense second half and their organisation exposed Nottingham Forest’s utterlack ofimagination. Sean Dyche, who willno doubt grumble about the award for Jiménez’s penalty, saw little from his side. Forest barely had a chance of note and will rue missing an opportunity to increase their five-point lead over West Ham in 18th place.