RAUL JIMENEZ came back to haunt his former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo – as Nottingham Forest’s unbeaten start to the season ended in controversial fashion.
Jimenez scored 17 goals for Nuno when he was part of a Wolves side that qualified for Europe.
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But the Mexico striker frustrated the Forest boss as he netted from the penalty spot as Fulham built on their victory over Newcastle United last week.
Forest fans were furious with ref Josh Smith though as he gave a 50th minute penalty after going to the touchline TV screen to look at a VAR replay which ruled Murillo had shoved Fulham’s Andreas Pereira.
But even then, the drama was not over, as Pereira and Jimenez appeared to argue with each other over who was going to take the spot-kick.
Eventually, Jimenez despatched the penalty for his third goal in successive Premier League games.
Forest were without the suspended Morgan Gibbs-White after his dismissal at Brighton last week.
But they began strongly with the recalled Taiwo Awomiyi looking strong.
The Nigeria striker tried an overhead kick from close range which flew over the bar
Forest looked to be getting closer to a goal and Chris Wood forced the ball over the line from close range, but a VAR check showed he was clearly offside.
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Alex Moreno’s shot was deflected wide from 20 yards, but it was a frustrating half for Nuno’s men.
But the game swung Fulham’s way after the break when they won their penalty.
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Once the fuss had died down, Jimenez took the ball and, after a staggered run-up, put it firmly to Forest keeper Matz Sels’ left.
Furious Forest supporters chanted: “1-0 to the referee.”
And their mood did not improve after 64 minutes when sub Anthony Elanga went down under a Calvin Bassey challenge – this time, VAR said no penalty.
Another Forest sub, Callum Hudson-Odi, who scored the winning goal at Liverpool two weeks ago, went close with a dipping effort from the edge of the area.
But the game was becoming bad-tempered as Forest became increasingly anxious to make a breakthrough.
Nuno, still waiting to hear if he would be getting a touchline ban after being sent off at Brighton last Sunday, managed to keep his emotions under control this time, but he will not be happy with the way the game panned out for his side.
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