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Championship: Nothing has changed for Felix Magath despite another Fulham loss

Image: Felix Magath: Still without a league win this season

Fulham manager Felix Magath remained defiant after seeing his side capitulate 5-3 at Nottingham Forest to remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Despite their sixth defeat in seven Sky Bet Championship outings, the German said: "I am completely confident in my job."

Magath saw his side come from two goals down to lead 3-2, only to concede three goals in the last 13 minutes as Forest reclaimed top spot.

"I don't think about my position. I just work with my team. They played very well and scored three times. We were very unlucky.

"I understand the fans' frustrations. I'm very sad we are bottom with one point. It is terrible for the players, myself and the supporters."

Fulham's familiar sinking feeling came after nine minutes when hat-trick hero Britt Assombalonga headed in Henri Lansbury's free-kick, before Forest's top scorer converted from the spot after Michail Antonio was brought down by Shaun Hutchinson.

The visitors could have thrown in the towel, but they fought back in great style and after Ross McCormack cracked in a free-kick late in the first half, they got on level terms when Fernando Amorebieta's cross was smartly turned in by Hugo Rodallega.

Forest's energy evaporated and McCormack handed the visitors the lead after 64 minutes, finishing off a three-man move, which also involved Rodallega and sub Chris David.

But Stuart Pearce's side, despite looking out for the count, fought back in fine fashion, with Antonio firing in the equaliser, before Assombalonga reacted quickest after his header hit a post, to crash home his third goal.

Sub Jamie Paterson rounded off the scoring in the 89th minute.

"We missed a chance to make it 4-2 and unfortunately we made a mistake to let them back in. I thought they got a lucky win," added Magath.

"It was very good for the team to fight back from that and when we got in front, I thought we were the better team."

Referee Darren Deadman, who booked six Fulham players, was criticised by Magath after awarding Forest a controversial penalty after 20 minutes, with the German adding: "The referee's decision was wrong and the game was affected by that."

Forest coach Steve Wigley admitted the Reds were a tad lucky to come way with the three points, but pointed to Assombalonga as the difference between the two sides.

He said: "If you are going to be successful in this division then you need someone who is capable of scoring 25 goals and we believe he falls into that category.

"It is not just his goals, his work-rate, his attitude and will to succeed is great and he shows that every day. He makes life difficult for defenders. We haven't just brought a very good player to the club, we have brought an excellent professional to the club."

About Forest's performance, he went on: "I think we were fortunate. We started well and when we went 2-0 up you would expect us to control the game, but they scored a great free-kick and I thought they played very well up to about 65-70 minutes.

"But once it became a shoot-out we knew we had players who could score a goal and we went for it, and showed tremendous character."

Assombalonga held up Chris Cohen's shirt after scoring his second goal of the night and Wigley admitted the news on the Reds club captain is not good after he picked up another injury in Sunday's local derby with Derby.

Wigley revealed: "He has done his cruciate [knee] and will need an operation. That could be nine months, which is a big blow for Chris and the club."

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