Marks out of ten from Fulham’s fine away win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last night …
David Button: Another excellent display from the Fulham goalkeeper, who seems to have put the jittery performances of pre-season firmly behind him. Button was decisive in coming to claim or fist away crosses – making a couple of key decisions in the first half – and made a number a couple of excellent saves. He got a firm hand to Daryl Murphy’s early curler and then did superbly to tip away a Jason Cummings shot that seemed certain to give Forest the lead. 7
Ryan Fredericks: The energetic full-back eventually won his battle with Armaud Traore, even though the Senegalese full-back was afforded far too much time to float over a cross for the Forest equaliser. He fizzed a dangerous cross over early on and was a willing runner down the right all night. Fredericks made a host of interceptions, winning a number of aerial duels and vital tackles, before turning the match in Fulham’s favour with a rampaging run from full back that saw him surge away from three tackles before being brought down by Matt Mills on the edge of the box. 7
Tomas Kalas: This was the sort of display that was common place during Kalas’ first spell at Craven Cottage last season. The Czech centre back underlined his international pedigree with a composed performance, largely nullifying the threat posed by Daryl Murphy and regularly tracking the runs from deep of Kieran Dowell and substitute Ben Brereton. He made one absolutely crucial block throwing himself into front of Cummings’ shot just before the break when the Forest youngster looked set to give Forest the lead and then retreated to head away the loose ball after Button and Ream had thwarted a couple of home efforts in quick succession after the break. 7
Tim Ream: The American had a mixed evening, making a couple of poor decisions with the ball at his feet that on another night could have cost Fulham dearly, but his contributions from the heart of the defence also prevented a couple of goals and saw him head away countless Nottingham Forest crosses. Ream intercepted most of the service intended for Murphy, often stepping out of defence to steal possession, and was in the right place at the right time to prevent Dowell from putting the hosts in front ten minutes after the break. 7
Denis Odoi: The Belgian was replaced at half-time after a first 45 minutes where he didn’t cover himself in glory. Odoi allowed Cummings to get past him far too easily on occasions and was personally culpable for the goal, where he allowed Murphy to peel off him and guide what turned into a free header back across David Button from beyond the back post. The full-back did fire an early shot over the crossbar, but Fulham found much more of a foothold in the game once Ollie Norwood was introduced into midfield and Ryan Sessegnon switched to left back. 5
Kevin McDonald: It was almost as if the Scottish holding midfielder delivered his performance to remind Forest of what they were missing after Warburton had been heavily linked with a summer move for the former Wolves man. Such is McDonald’s importance to this side that Fulham would never have countenanced his departure and the stand-in skipper provided the ballast at the base of a rejigged midfield, making four interceptions, two dominant tackles and winning five contests against individual opponents. His reading of the game, passing and positioning were exemplary. 7
Stefan Johansen: The Norwegian hasn’t yet matched the peerless performances of the last campaign. His boundless running appeared in vain for much of the first half as Fulham struggled against the Forest midfield three and some of passes went astray too early. Johansen looked much more comfortable when he was partnered by Norwood and became increasingly influential in the second half – he was unlucky to only clip the crossbar when Fonte and Kamara fashioned an opening on the edge of the box. Got his goal with a curling free-kick and celebratory knee slide that was reminiscent of the absent Tom Cairney. 7
Sheyi Ojo: This was a frustrating night for the teenage winger, who largely flattered to deceive down the Fulham right. He got into plenty of promising positions but failed to either deliver a telling ball or link the play effectively, often slowly down attacks and losing the ball in tight situations. He might have scored shortly after Kamara’s opener, but Jordan Smith parried his effort, and then miscued a shot after a smart one-two with Fonte. It was little surprise when he departed on the hour mark. 5
Ryan Sessegnon: The precocious teenager was quieter than he had been previously when deployed as a left winger but still played a telling part in two crucial goals. His run and disguised pass to slip in Kamara for the first was a thing of real beauty and, despite being switched to full-back after Odoi’s withdrawal at the break, continued to get forward to great effect. He linked up wonderfully with Yohan Mollo for the clinching third, carrying the ball deep into Forest territory and releasing the winger at just the right time, before making a late dart into the penalty area to take attention away from Kebano. 7
Rui Fonte: The Portuguese forward struggled to impose himself on proceedings from a deeper number ten role, often concentrating on orchestrating attacks or dropping deep to assist Fulham’s central midfielders rather than finding himself in the penalty area where he can really hurt opponents. He almost doubled the lead when his follow-up from Ojo’s shot was blocked by Ben Osborn and made good chances for the Liverpool winger and Kamara either side of half-time, but spent much of the second half isolated on the right wing. 6
Aboubakar Kamara: The imposing French forward carried all the confidence after opening his account against Middlesbrough into this contest. He was a menace from the off, a willing runner into the channels and gave all of Forest’s three centre halves a torrid time. Kamara took his goal superbly, having the presence of mind to take a touch and compose himself before shooting past Jordan Smith after his intelligent run was utterly ignored by the hosts’ defence. His link up play was outstanding – especially when he shifted the ball to Johansen and the midfielder hit the bar – and he was unlucky not to add to his tally when he rattled the near post in the second half. A magnificent evening’s work. 9
SUBSTITUTES
Oliver Norwood: The Northern Irish international added more balance to a Fulham midfield that had looked a little vulnerable in the first period. He distributed the ball swiftly, threading two fine passes into forward areas that lead to chances, but was disciplined enough to make a couple of crucial tackles in his defensive third in an energetic performance that helped extinguish any Forest victory hopes. 6
Neeskens Kebano: This was quite a cameo from the Congolese winger, who provided all the incisiveness and quality that Ojo lacked. In a striking contrast to his off-colour display at Burton, Kebano was always looking to get involved from the right, committing opponents and cutting inside to good effect. The substitute fully deserved his goal in the final minute of normal time, finishing clinically after excellent work from Sessegnon and Yohan Mollo. 7
Yohann Mollo: The French winger looks like some signing on a free transfer following his release by Zenit St. Petersburg. He was a real livewire when he came on for Fonte in the final quarter of the game and linked up wonderfully with Sessegnon down the left. A genuine wide man who frightened the Forest defence, Mollo’s acceleration into the box and excellent cross for Kebano’s clincher would have had Slavisa Jokanovic purring in appreciation. 7
