Jimenez Penalty Earns Fulham Fortunate Win Over Forest.

Jimenez Penalty Earns Fulham Fortunate Win Over Forest.

Jimenez's Ice-Cool Penalty Secures Fortunate Fulham Victory Over Toothless Forest

                    On a chilly Monday night at Craven Cottage on December 22, 2025, Raul Jimenez once again proved why he's the Premier League's ultimate penalty king, calmly slotting home his 11th spot-kick from 11 attempts to hand Fulham a scrappy but vital 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

            In a game desperately short on quality and chances, the Mexican's first-half strike – awarded after a lengthy VAR check – was the difference, lifting the Cottagers 10 points clear of the relegation zone while leaving Sean Dyche's visitors frustrated and still glancing nervously over their shoulders. Was this a smash-and-grab robbery, or just the ruthless efficiency needed in a relegation scrap?

Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Jimenez pen 45+5') – Premier League, Craven Cottage

Fulham climbed to 13th in the Premier League table with this hard-fought victory, extending their impressive recent record against Nottingham Forest to six wins in their last seven meetings. Marco Silva's side, missing key players to AFCON commitments, were far from their fluent best but showed the defensive resilience and clinical edge required to grind out results. For Forest, under Sean Dyche, this was a frustrating evening where possession dominance yielded zero shots on target until late, highlighting their ongoing struggles away from home.

The result sees Fulham on 23 points, level with several mid-table sides, while Forest remain 17th with a five-point cushion above the drop zone – a reminder that their revival under Dyche is still a work in progress.




Fulham FC - Craven Cottage

Craven Cottage under lights – the iconic home of Fulham FC provided a atmospheric backdrop for this pre-Christmas clash.

Pre-Match Context and Team News

This Matchweek 17 fixture carried significant weight at the bottom end of the table. Fulham, coming off a mixed run but boosted by recent home form, were without several stars on international duty, forcing Silva into changes. Forest, having collected 13 points from Dyche's first eight games, arrived with confidence but aware of their poor record at Craven Cottage – losing all three previous Premier League visits by a combined 9-1 scoreline.

Fulham (4-2-3-1): Bernd Leno; Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Jorge Cuenca, Antonee Robinson; Sander Berge, Sasa Lukic; Harry Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe, Kevin; Raul Jimenez (c).

Subs: Tom Cairney, Josh King, Adama Traore, Reiss Nelson, Issa Diop.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): John Victor; Savona, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams; Douglas Luiz, Elliot Anderson; Omar Hutchinson, Morgan Gibbs-White (c), Callum Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus.

Subs: Taiwo Awoniyi, Nicolas Dominguez, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Referee Anthony Taylor was in charge, with VAR overseeing a match expected to be cagey given both teams' defensive setups.


Jimenez penalty earns Fulham scrappy 1-0 home win over Forest ...

Raul Jimenez celebrates his decisive penalty, sending the Craven Cottage faithful into raptures.
First Half: A Game of Few Chances Ignited by Controversy

The opening 45 minutes were a quintessential relegation battle – scrappy, physical, and devoid of clear-cut opportunities. Forest controlled possession early, with Gibbs-White pulling strings, but Fulham's compact shape frustrated them. Igor Jesus chipped an effort just over, while Hudson-Odoi's pace caused momentary flusters down the left.

Fulham grew into the game through Antonee Robinson's overlapping runs, but clear sights of goal were rare. Sasa Lukic dragged a shot wide, and Jimenez headed into the side-netting from a Robinson cross.

The turning point came deep into first-half stoppage time. Brazilian midfielder Kevin – Fulham's record signing – drove into the box and was clipped by Douglas Luiz. Referee Taylor initially waved play on, but after a lengthy VAR review checking for offside and the foul, the penalty was awarded. Forest players surrounded the officials in protest, with John Victor booked for dissent.

Up stepped Jimenez. The 34-year-old, known for his composed run-up, stuttered, waited for Victor to dive left, and coolly slotted right. 1-0 to Fulham – his 11th perfect Premier League penalty, tying Yaya Toure's record.


Jimenez converts another penalty to give Fulham win over ...

Jimenez sends John Victor the wrong way – a moment of pure composure from the Mexican veteran.

Second Half: Forest Push but Lack Cutting Edge

Dyche's halftime words inspired a brighter start from Forest. Neco Williams forced Leno into his first real save, and Murillo blasted a long-range effort that required handling.

Fulham threatened on the break, with Jimenez nearly doubling the lead only for Victor to deny him. As the game opened up, substitutes injected energy: Awoniyi for Jesus, Dominguez for Luiz, and McAtee for Gibbs-White.

Yet, Forest's final ball repeatedly let them down. Hudson-Odoi curled wide, and Gibbs-White's efforts were blocked. Fulham managed the game astutely, with Cairney and Traore adding fresh legs late on. Jimenez spurned a glorious chance to seal it, blazing over when through, but the hosts held firm for a clean sheet – their first in months.

Full-time: Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest. A fortunate three points, perhaps, but priceless in the context of the table.


Raul Jimenez's flawless penalty record helps Fulham past ...

Forest players show their frustration at full-time – another away day without joy.

Key Performances and Statistics
Raul Jimenez (Player of the Match): 8/10 – Ice-cool from the spot, tireless hold-up play. His perfect penalty record now stands at 11/11, joint-best in Premier League history.

Joachim Andersen & Jorge Cuenca: 8/10 each – Imperious at the back, marshalling a resolute defense.

Bernd Leno: 7/10 – Commanding, made key saves when called upon.
Morgan Gibbs-White: 6.5/10 – Forest's creative spark but couldn't unlock Fulham.
Douglas Luiz: 5/10 – Costly foul for the penalty, struggled to impose himself.
John Victor: 6.5/10 – Solid stops but powerless against the spot-kick.

Possession: Fulham 42% - Forest 58%. Shots: 9-11. On target: 3-2. Fulham edged big chances 2-1, underscoring their clinical nature despite Forest's control.

Fulham's home dominance over Forest continues, with this win part of a pattern where they've scored freely in recent head-to-heads – though this was far tighter.
Post-Match Reactions

Raul Jimenez: "I like the pressure of penalties. I've never missed in the Premier League, and I'm happy to continue like that. We knew it was tough, but we fought for the three points."

Marco Silva: "It wasn't our best performance, but the result is what matters. Raul is exceptional from the spot – very important for us."

Sean Dyche: "Disappointed with the decision, but we need to be better in both boxes. We controlled large parts but didn't test their keeper enough."

Implications Heading into Christmas

This victory provides breathing room for Fulham, moving them comfortably mid-table and easing any lingering relegation fears. For Forest, the defeat halts momentum and exposes away vulnerabilities – they've now failed to score in several recent road games.

As the Premier League pauses for Boxing Day fixtures, Fulham travel to West Ham, while Forest host Manchester City. In a season of fine margins at the bottom, Jimenez's reliability could prove Fulham's secret weapon.

Raul Jimenez's unflappable nerve from 12 yards turned a potential frustration into festive joy for Fulham fans. In the relentless grind of the Premier League, sometimes one moment – and one man – is all it takes. As 2025 draws to a close, the Cottagers march on, while Forest are reminded: survival is never straightforward.