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Tom Moore at GetWestLondon |
Fulham (0) 1-3 (2) Nottingham Forest
Fulham were beaten by Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage but Brentford's win at MK Dons ensured any lingering relegation fears went away with the Buckinghamshire side being the third and final team to take the drop.
Henri Lansbury was in inspired form, scoring twice and setting up Robert Tesche's opener as the home side settled for a Matt Smith consolation.
The opening exchanges were that of a turgid end-of-season affair as if both sides knew MK Dons wouldn't pick up three wins in their final three games of the season.
Fulham's achilles heel all season has been defending set pieces and it was no surprise that the opener came from a free kick that was whipped across by Lansbury and turned home by Tesche.
The opening goalscorer turned provider as he was fouled in the penalty area by Emerson Hyndman.
Lansbury stepped up and his effort crept into the corner, past Marcus Bettinelli's despairing dive.
Fulham thought they had a penalty of their own when Ross McCormack went down on the edge of the area but the assistant referee deemed the infringement to be outside the box.
The Scottish striker was not deterred and his powerful effort struck the crossbar with Dorus De Vries stranded just before half-time.
Fulham did pull a goal back just after the hour mark as McCormack's corner was turned home by half-time substitute Smith.
However, Forest wrapped up the points with 20 minutes remaining after a well worked move from Eric Lichaj led to his cross being turned home by Lansbury.
Fulham felt they had another penalty but, once again, the officials deemed the offence outside the box.
With MK Dons losing heavily at home to Brentford it means the Whites' second season in the Championship ends with survival.
It was not what Shahid Khan would want to be celebrate and changes are needed in the summer to ensure that a bottom half finish doesn't happen again.
Five things we learned as the Whites suffer home mauling by Dimitri Kondonis at GetWestLondon
Fulham suffered a serious case of deja vu as they fell to a 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Slavisa Jokanovic’s men fell behind to Robert Tesche’s strike midway through the first half, before Henri Lansbury converted from the spot to give Forest a two goal lead.
Substitute Matt Smith scored to drag the hosts back into the match, before Lansbury converted his second goal to wrap up the points.
Fulham’s defensive puzzle still unsolved
Jokanovic made four changes to the lineup which drew 1-1 at Ipswich in midweek - with three of those coming in defence.
Dan Burn, Richard Stearman and Shaun Hutchinson were dropped as the Whites sought a result which would keep them clear of the relegation zone for at least another year.
But it begs the question as to whether the Fulham boss is keen on any of his defensive options as he seeks to plan for next year, and to shore up the leakiest defence to remain in the league.
Decisions need to be made
The Fulham boss also has to consider the future of Emerson Hyndman, whose contract expires at the end of this season.
The young American international started once more at home as Jokanovic got a closer look at one of Fulham’s impressive youngsters.
But with Hyndman eyeing up a possible move at season’s end, the boss will need to make up his mind quickly as to whether he can realistically expect to rely on Hyndman’s services next year.
Set-piece woes continue
Fulham gifted their visitors the lead after succumbing to yet another free-kick.
Tesche ran onto the drilled free kick to fire home and leave Cottagers fans infuriated that their side conceded once more from a dead ball.
Free-kicks and corners have been the Whites’ Kryptonite all season and Jokanovic will have a large task on his hands to fix this problem.
More penalty problems
It has been a bizarre season for the Cottagers - they are into double figures for penalties conceded, while it is nigh-on impossible to remember the last home penalty awarded for them.
Referee Lewis was not in any mood to end that run for the Whites either - gifting a penalty to the visitors and denying three strong home appeals, with two controversially awarded as free kicks.
But the Fulham defence has been sloppy for the most part in defence and the Whites simply cannot afford to concede so many spot-kicks next season.
Championship status is retained
The Whites entered the Forest clash knowing that if MK Dons failed to pick up a win against rivals Brenford they would be condemned to League One.
And despite Fulham crashing to defeat at home, Dons were ultimately undone by Brentford and confirmed their spot in England’s third tier.
With Fulham safe, the Whites manager can start to eye up next season - and any transfers which he will be interested in acquiring to bolster his side.
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