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Lewis Grabban's early strike was his third goal in five Championship appearances this season

Lewis Grabban scored a goal in each half as Nottingham Forest secured a first away win of the season with a clinical display at in-form Fulham.

Fulham had won three league games in a row and were in imperious form as they trounced Millwall 4-0 in midweek.

But the Cottagers trailed inside four minutes to Grabban's close-range volley after a glorious team move.

Forest had to withstand strong home pressure after the interval but defended impressively, and Grabban's fine strike doubled the lead and ensured victory despite Aleksandar Mitrovic's late prodded effort and eight minutes of stoppage time.

The big striker's fourth goal in four games set up a frantic final seven minutes, but Grabban's heroics proved telling.

The 31-year-old's first goal was a simple finish but was beautifully constructed.

A flowing passage of play saw the ball worked left to right then back inside to the fit-again Joe Lolley, who played two quick one-twos.

The second interchange found Jack Robinson on the left and the full-back's inviting cross was easily turned in by the Grabban for his third goal of the season.

Fulham had the better of possession but, aside from a couple of shots from distance that went wide, they rarely threatened in a first half which saw Forest almost double their lead through Grabban's strike and a Thiago Silva overhead kick.

Reds goalkeeper Brice Samba, on his Championship debut, had a busier second period, notably making a superb save to stop Bobby Decordova-Reid's downward header and pushing away a strike from Steven Sessegnon.

By the time Brice thwarted Sessegnon, Grabban had doubled the lead, smashing the ball in at the near post after Sammy Ameobi won possession in midfield.

Mitrovic's goal, after good work by substitute Aboubakar Kamara, proved no more than a minor consolation despite the hosts finishing with 78% possession.

Fulham manager Scott Parker:

"I was disappointed at the way we started the game. When they scored early, it put us on the back foot. After that we looked a real threat. I felt we controlled the game.

"I always felt comfortable in the way we were playing, certainly in possession. I felt like we played pretty well.

"The second goal comes from a mistake by us, which is one of those things. We went to a back three to try and get some more players further up the field. I take responsibility for that."

Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi told BBC Radio Nottingham:

"A fantastic performance and a very good result against one of the best teams of the league- maybe the best one. Today I saw the personality of my team. In defence, we were compact and aggressive.

"I want to congratulate the team- not just the starting eleven, but the whole squad. We have a fantastic group.

"They played with their heart and their heads, and when they play together and fight together, my team is not an easy team to play against."