Related items

• Fulham 3-1 Brighton: Iwobi brace the difference at Craven Cottage

  Alex Iwobi was the star of the show as his brace helped Fulham to a 3-1 victory over Brighton on Thursday.

  Iwobi capitalised on Bart Verbruggen's early error to get the home side off to a flying start at Craven Cottage.

  Carlos Baleba finished expertly after neat work from Joao Pedro to bring Brighton level in the 56th minute, but Matt O'Riley's luckless own goal restored Fulham's lead.

  And Iwobi wrapped up the points with a lovely bending effort in the closing stages to settle an entertaining contest.

  Verbruggen's careless pass was pounced on by Iwobi and he side-footed home after only four minutes before Simon Adingra shot straight at Bernd Leno when he really ought to have equalised.

  Rodrigo Muniz headed agonisingly wide on the stroke of half-time for Fulham but Baleba levelled for Brighton with an exquisite drilled finish from Joao Pedro's sublime flick into his path after 56 minutes.

  But Fulham did well to reset and Andrea Pereira's fine in-swinging corner found the bottom corner via the backside of O'Riley before Iwobi rounded out the win by cutting in from the left and bending a fine effort past the Verbruggen into the far corner with three minutes to play.

  Data Debrief: Iwobi in form as Brighton's Fulham hoodoo continues

  Iwobi was the difference-maker in what had been a very tight contest at Craven Cottage and he has now scored (3) or assisted in or assisted (2) in each of his last four Premier League appearances, his longest such run in the competition.

  This was only the second time the Nigeria international had managed to score twice in a Premier League game in what was his 267th appearance in the competition.

  Brighton, meanwhile, have now faced Fulham nine times in the Premier League and failed to beat them. The Cottagers have five wins and four draws versus the Seagulls, the most they have faced a side without losing in the competition.

  The visitors were the architects of their own downfall for the first goal and only Southampton (9) have had more errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season than Brighton (6), with Verbruggen responsible for three of those – the joint-most by a player in the competition in 2024-25.

• Nuno expects tough test versus Amorim's Man Utd

  While Nuno Espirito Santo remains uncertain how Ruben Amorim will set Manchester United up on Saturday, he expects Nottingham Forest to face a tough test at Old Trafford.

  Forest were beaten 3-0 by Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday, their third defeat in their last four games.

  However, they remain within touching distance of the top five ahead of a second successive away game in Manchester, where they will face Ruben Amorim's United. 

  United suffered their first defeat under the former Sporting CP coach on Wednesday, going down 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. 

  With Amorim still getting to grips with his new squad, Nuno does not know what tactical challenges to expect but is certain United will present a major challenge.

  The former Wolves boss said: "Their results are difficult to predict because Ruben in this moment is changing a lot. 

  "I think he is trying to get to know players better. The idea is there, we don't know exactly who is going to play, but for sure they have quality players.

  "They are quality and have talented players. The shape is there. The personnel and the players... we cannot identify who is going to start, but our approach is always the same. 

  "Let's focus on the things they have been doing but also let's look at getting the advantage. It is always a tough place to go but let's focus on being positive on the game."

  United conceded two goals from corners in their midweek defeat to the Gunners, prompting defender Matthijs de Ligt to demand improvements.

  "In the end, we are Manchester United," De Ligt told MUTV. "We lost again and, yeah, it's easy, it's not good enough.

  "So, we know that, we will work hard. We have to improve, and in two days or three days is the next game, so that will be a really important one again for us, to show again what we learned from this game and get the three points."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH 

  Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes 

  Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances at Old Trafford (four goals, seven assists), having a hand in six goals in his last four in the Premier League (two goals, four assists). 

  He's never scored or assisted in five in a row in the league at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford was the last United player to do so overall (seven in 2022-23).

  Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood 

  Wood has scored 12 goals in his last 14 away Premier League starts for Nottingham Forest, netting in three in a row before Wednesday's defeat at the Etihad. 

  He missed a glorious chance while Forest were a goal down last time out and will be determined to atone here.

  MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

  Man United have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Forest, with the exception being a 2-1 loss in December 1994.

  They have also scored in all 14 of their Premier League games against Forest, their joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent in the competition along with Swansea City.

  The Red Devils have won 3-0 against Leicester City and 4-0 against Everton in their last two Premier League home games. 

  They have not scored three or more goals in three consecutive home league games since February 2021, while they last did so while winning each time in December 2018.

  With United also beating Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Amorim has won both of his home games in charge of the side so far – only five managers have won their first three at home with the Red Devils, most recently Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Manchester United – 55.9%

  Nottingham Forest – 21.4%

  Draw – 22.7%

• Arsenal must continue to be the 'masters' of set-pieces, says Arteta

  Arsenal must continue to be the "masters" of set-pieces after Mikel Arteta earned his 150th victory in charge of the Gunners.

  Arteta's landmark win arrived as Arsenal beat United 2-0 on Wednesday.

  After being frustrated in the first half, two goals from two corner routines from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba after the break sealed an important 2-0 victory for Arsenal. 

  Arsenal have now scored more goals from corners (22) than any other team in the Premier League since the start of last season. 10 of those have opened the scoring, which is also a division-high total across that period. 

  The Gunners also had more shots from corners (seven) than they did from open play (six) against United, while also having 13 corners in the game without reply from the visitors. 

  "I hope they don't," Arteta said when asked how opposition teams have not found a way to stop his side's set-piece routines. 

  "We want to have the ability to score from every phase of play. It's something that has worked, and the more resources you have it makes it more difficult for your opponent. 

  "We were very efficient with our set-pieces when we were not efficient with our chances inside the box and in open play. But we won the game, so we are happy. 

  "We are the masters today, but we have to continue to work and continue to be the masters."

  Wednesday's result also saw Arsenal record a fourth consecutive league victory against United for the first time in their history. 

  They have also won each of their last four home league games against the Red Devils, which is their longest such run since April 1978 (seven in a row).

  Despite the win, Arsenal dropped to third in the standings after Chelsea's 5-1 thrashing of Southampton, but they were able to close the gap to leaders Liverpool. 

  Arne Slot's side dropped points in an enthralling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United, though Declan Rice, on the back of making his 50th Premier League appearance for Arsenal said it was too soon for title talk. 

  "It's good, but people get carried away with the title talk. I was involved in my first one last year, "Rice told Amazon Prime.

  "You need to be in and around it by February. It's too early to be calling what's going on. Liverpool dropped points. What are they, 10 above?

  "Oh seven, it's closer, but still a long way to go, we just need to keep believing in ourselves."

  Arteta echoed Rice's thoughts, saying: "I didn't know they had dropped points as I was so happy celebrating in the dressing room. We got that news, but it is difficult to win this league. It is still very early."

  Up next for Arteta's side is a trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday before returning to the Emirates to face Monaco in the Champions League.