Silva's half-time blast 'too late' as Fulham crumble

MARCO SILVA sat in the away dugout with his hands in his lap, staring into the distance as his players returned from the tunnel for the second half.

- Dom Smith

Fulham did improve after his halftime rollicking, but as he said after this dismal defeat: "It was already too late." This was an unforeseen off-night for Fulham, and one that curbed their impressive form.

They have grown into the season and a top-half finish is still within reach. But it is difficult to see how they can climb higher than their position of 13th when only bottom side Sheffield United have fewer away wins than their two.

Nottingham Forest dominated the first half last night - Fulham a totally different proposition from the well-drilled, counter-attacking side that beat Tottenham last month.