Raul Jimenez’s first-half penalty proved to be the difference as Fulham ran out 1-0 winners over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Monday.
The Mexican dispatched his 11th top-flight spot-kick in a row just before the break to give Marco Silva’s side all three points at Craven Cottage.
The hosts, whose squad has been heavily impacted by AFCON, emerged victorious from a closely-fought contest against a team rejuvenated under new manager Sean Dyche.
The result moves Fulham up to 13th in the table, while Forest remain in 17th, one place and five points above the relegation zone.
The first real chance of the contest did not arrive until the 39th minute when Sasa Lukic curled a low effort towards goal from the edge of the box but the ball flew wide of the goal.
Moments later, Jimenez saw a header at the near post ripple the side netting as Fulham looked to break the deadlock before the break.
At the other end, Bernd Leno had to be alert to tip away the lively Omari Hutchinson’s teasing cross that appeared destined for the far corner.
But on the stroke of half-time, Kevin was clipped in the Forest area by Douglas Luiz and Jimenez took responsibility of the resulting penalty, sending John Victor the wrong way to give the Cottagers the lead at the break.
Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White both had efforts from distance after the restart with Forest looking for a way back into the tie.
Substitute Tom Cairney then saw his strike tipped round the post by Victor before Jimenez nodded wide.
But Fulham were not made to rue their missed chances as they saw out the game to claim an important three points.
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Fulham team vs Nottingham Forest
Fulham brought in goalkeeper Bernd Leno for Benjamin Lecomte. England youth international Seth Ridgeon was on the bench.
Forward Rodrigo Muniz and wideman Ryan Sessegnon were out with hamstring injuries. Defender Calvin Bassey, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward Samuel Chukwueze were at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Fulham starting XI: Bernd Leno, Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson, Harry Wilson, Sasa Lukic, Emile Smith Rowe, Sander Berge, Kevin, Raul Jimenez
Fulham substitutes: Benjamin Lecomte, Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Adama Traore, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Timothy Castagne, Josh King, Issa Diop,Seth Ridgeon
Nottingham Forest team vs Fulham
Forest made one change as midfielder Douglas Luiz replaced Ibrahim Sangare, who was at AFCON.
Centre-back Willy Boly was also at the tournament. Goalkeeper Matz Sels, who had been troubled by a groin problem, was on the bench, but midfielder Ryan Yates (hamstring) was injured, as were full-back Ola Aina (knee) and forward Chris Wood (knee).
Midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, who had been suffering from a knee issue, was also initially in reserve.
Forest starting XI: John Victor, Nicolo Savona, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams, Omari Hutchinson, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Douglas Luiz, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus
Forest substitutes: Matz Sels, Morato, Taiwo Awoniyi, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Nicolas Domínguez, James McAtee, Dilane Bakwa, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Zach Abbott