Dominant Fulham end Forest's unbeaten run

Willian's first-half effort ended Fulham's run of over five hours without a Premier League goal

Willian's superb first-half finish helped Fulham end their winless Premier League run and condemned Nottingham Forest to a first top-flight defeat in 2023.

Second-half substitute Manor Solomon ended Forest's hopes of salvaging a point with a clinical finish two minutes from time.

Forest, who lost centre-backs Willy Boly and Scott McKenna to early injuries, were fortunate only to be 1-0 down at half-time as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Bobby de Cordova-Reid and Andreas Pereira all went close to doubling the hosts' lead.

Willian and Pereira were also both denied by the frame of the goal not long after the restart, but Forest - buoyed perhaps by Fulham's inability to add to their advantage - improved as the second half wore on.

Substitutes Jonjo Shelvey and Emmanuel Dennis almost combined to bring the visitors back on level terms, but the latter sent his header straight at Bernd Leno before Solomon struck late on.

Steve Cooper's side remain six points above the relegation zone but drop a place to 14th, while Fulham climb above Brentford into seventh.

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Willian wonder goal before Solomon's first strike

Fulham enjoyed a slice of good fortune with Boly and McKenna's injuries seeing them both replaced in the seventh minute, but this was a display in keeping with the Cottagers' outstanding campaign so far.

Confident and assured in possession, Silva's side deservedly ended a run of over five hours without a Premier League goal when Willian struck his third of the campaign.

The opportunity appeared to have gone when Mitrovic and De Cordova-Reid were both denied by last-ditch blocks, but Willian collected the ball and calmly lifted it over five Forest defenders into the top corner to break the deadlock.

Mitrovic almost ended his own five-game goal drought after taking Willian's pass in his stride and sidestepping two Forest challenges, but the striker's goal-bound shot was blocked by Keylor Navas.

De Cordova-Reid rattled the crossbar with a vicious right-footed strike and Pereira flashed a shot wide of the far post as Silva's team ended the first half in the ascendancy.

There was little change to the pattern of play in the early stages of the second period as Willian's curling shot struck the post and Pereira sent a dipping free-kick against the bar.

But keeper Leno had to be on his toes to deny Dennis from point-blank range as the visitors sought an equaliser.

If Fulham fans were wondering whether their team might rue their profligacy, Solomon calmed their nerves in the 88th minute with a powerful finish from Pereira's low cross for his first goal since his loan arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk.

More to follow.

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