Penalty expert Jimenez scores for Fulham against Forest

Fulham pulled clear of the Premier League relegation battle and pushed Nottingham Forest deeper into the survival struggle with a 1-0 victory on Monday, thanks to Raul Jimenez's penalty.

Marco Silva's team began the match only two points ahead of fourth from bottom Forest, yet Jimenez's goal in the opening period at Craven Cottage lifted them 10 points from the drop zone.

As Fulham's worries about relegation lessened before the holiday fixtures, Forest sit just five points above third from bottom West Ham in the race to stay up.

Forest had triumphed in six of their last eight matches across competitions, including a 3-0 win against Tottenham the previous weekend, which highlighted their progress under new manager Sean Dyche.

However, Fulham shattered Forest's recent confidence by recovering from their midweek League Cup quarter final defeat to Newcastle.

Fulham missed Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey, who were away with Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite those absences, the Cottagers secured consecutive league triumphs following their win over Burnley the week before.

"We feel very satisfied with the three points. They mean a great deal to us," Silva commented. 

"Before the game, we discussed the need to secure another home win and achieve back to back league successes."

Dyche remarked: "Tonight, that decisive edge was missing. It serves as a warning that if you are off your game, things will turn against you.

"We created promising positions, but failed to truly challenge them. We must improve on the fundamentals."

Forest forward Igor Jesus had netted twice in his prior four outings, but the Brazilian fired high over the bar after Callum Hudson-Odoi's pass found him unmarked eight yards out.

Igor Jesus wasted a further opportunity soon after with a poor touch that let Joachim Andersen make a crucial intervention with a desperate challenge.

Reflecting the untidy first half for both sides, Forest's Douglas Luiz sliced his effort well wide, while Fulham's Sasa Lukic fired past the post from distance.

Jimenez nearly opened the scoring when the Mexican forward nodded Antonee Robinson's delivery against the side netting.

Fulham gained some rhythm and broke the deadlock with their initial effort on goal right at the end of the first half added time.

A foul by Luiz on Kevin inside the box awarded the spot kick, and Jimenez converted by deceiving John Victor from 12 yards.

Jimenez has now converted every one of his 11 Premier League penalties.

Igor Jesus almost levelled for Forest early in the second half, his lob narrowly clearing the crossbar.

Forest pressed forward, with Murillo testing Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno from afar, and Morgan Gibbs-White curling just past the upright.