HARRY A HERO
Arter keeps it in the family
SCOTT PARKER hailed Fulham’s new-found grit after brother-in-law Harry Arter’s spectacular winner.
Arter’s 45th-minute left-foot screamer from distance gave Fulham a third successive win in a scrappy game.
Parker was delighted as his side ground out the points without suspended top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic and injured captain Tom Cairney. Victory keeps Fulham in with a shout of the top two with four games left, including a trip to secondplacedWest Brom.
Cottagers boss Parker, married to Arter’s sister Carly, said: “It is a big result for us. I am very proud of them because they showed that other side to dig in deep and show a desperation.
“It wasn’t vintage us but to win at your closest rivals is pleasing. We needed goals to come from other areas of the pitch to keep getting results. Harry has done that with two goals in three games. It was a great finish, as soon as it left his foot I was right behind him.
“I am sure it is extra special for the family back home too.”
Fulham’s Bobby DecordovaReid shot over from distance before Arter’s left-foot shot on the turn broke the deadlock.
The Irish midfielder got a break when his pass was intercepted by Ben Watson but he smashed the rebound in.
Unimpressed Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi made four changes inside the first 18 minutes of the second half. Forest’s Alfa Semedo tested Marek Rodak with a shot and fellow sub Nuno Da Costa had a header on target.
Lamouchi, whose side look destined for the play-offs now after their first loss since the restart, said: “We conceded the goal in the worst moment before half-time.
“It is not a good result but the players are not machines.” NOTTM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Samba 6; Cash 7, Worrall 7, Figueiredo 6, Ribeiro 6; Sow 6 (Yates 46, 7), Watson 6 (Mighten 85, 6); Ameobi 6 (Diakhaby 57, 7), Silva 6 (Semedo 63, 6), Lolley 5 (Da Costa 46, 6 ); Grabban 6.
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak 7; Odoi 7, Hector 7, Ream 6, Bryan 7; Arter 8 (Johansen 71, 6), Reed 7; Cavaleiro 6, Onomah 7, Kebano 6 (Knockaert 70, 7); DecordovaReid 6 (Le Marchand 87). Goal: Arter 45.