EPL: Fulham coach explains why he substituted Iwobi after 33 minutes against Nottingham Forest

Fulham boss Andre Silva has explained his decision to substitute Alex Iwobi in the first half during Fulham's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Monday, April 2.

The Spanish coach made a surprise move by taking off the Super Eagles midfielder alongside Harry Wilson and Sasa Lukic in the 33rd minute after his side fell behind 2-0 in the 20th minute.

The trio was replaced with Adama Traore, Willian, and Tom Cairney.

The substitution proved futile as Nottingham Forest went ahead to score the third goal just before the interval courtesy of Morgan Gibbs-White.

Tosin Adarabioyo scored what was a consolation goal from a header early in the second half for the away side.

Explaining his decision to withdraw three players before the first half, Silva noted that he wanted to see some reaction from his team after they went behind 2-0 in the 20th minute.

"I wanted to see a reaction. I want to be clear it was not the fault of the players who came off," Silva told the club's official website.

"At that moment, if I could have changed more, I would have. I do not want to highlight those three players; it was not their fault.

"At that moment, I wanted to keep more of the ball & with Tom Cairney & Willian. They are able to do that. I wanted to create some one v ones on the right-hand side, and Adama [Traore] is able to do that."