By our man at the City Ground
THERE is nowhere quite like the City Ground when the lights are low and the River Trent is rising, but for Nottingham Forest, this iconic cathedral of football felt more like a cold, drafty house as Fulham walked away with the silver.
The famous old stadium—home to the Tricky Trees since 1898—was rocking before kick-off. You could feel the history vibrating through the Brian Clough Stand as “Mull of Kintyre” echoed across the water. But by the final whistle, the only noise was the jubilant cheers of the travelling West Londoners tucked in the Bridgford End.
In a clash that was more “gritty” than “glitzy,” Marco Silva’s men proved they have the stomach for a scrap in one of the Premier League’s most intimidating bear pits.
The decisive moment came just before the break, and it was a disaster for Forest’s Douglas Luiz. In a moment of madness right in front of the Trent End, the midfielder clumsily clipped the heels of Fulham’s Kevin.
Referee Anthony Taylor didn’t hesitate, pointing to the spot and sending the City Ground into a chorus of boos.
Up stepped RAUL JIMENEZ, the Mexican marksman who knows exactly where the back of the net is. With the cool of an ice-sculptor, he sent John Victor the wrong way, slotting the ball into the corner to silence the 30,000-strong crowd.
Forest Frizzle Out
Sean Dyche’s men tried to summon the spirit of Cloughie in the second half.
Morgan Gibbs-White buzzed around like a man possessed, and the City Ground roared every time the ball entered the Fulham box.
But for all the history and the “12th man” atmosphere, Forest lacked the final touch. Even the introduction of Taiwo Awoniyi couldn’t break the Fulham wall, marshalled superbly by Joachim Andersen.
As the mist rolled in off the Trent, Forest’s hopes evaporated.
A ground that has seen European miracles saw only a frustrating Monday night defeat, leaving the Garibaldi Reds looking over their shoulders while Fulham head back to the capital with three massive points in their Christmas stockings.
FINAL SCORE: Nottingham Forest 0, Fulham 1.
