Raul Jimenez's penalty proved decisive as Fulham battled to a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the final Premier League match before Christmas.
Jimenez sent John Victor the wrong way from 12 yards five minutes into first-half stoppage time at Craven Cottage, after Douglas Luiz felled Kevin inside the area.
That was the first shot on target in the match, with both teams struggling to create regular clear-cut chances.
Igor Jesus wasted one good opening for Forest eight minutes in, while Morgan Gibbs-White sent a couple of attempts off-target early in the second half.
The defeat leaves 17th-placed Forest five points clear of the relegation zone heading into the festive schedule, while Fulham, in 13th, are now 10 points clear of the bottom three.
How the match unfolded
Fulham enjoyed plenty of early possession, but the first decent chance was spurned by Jesus after Gibbs-White's clever outside-of-the-foot pass teed up Callum Hudson-Odoi to cross.
Fulham then passed up two presentable opportunities as Sasa Lukic dragged wide and Jimenez headed Antonee Robinson's cross into the side netting, but they were gifted another chance on the stroke of half-time.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not hesitate to point to the spot when Douglas Luiz caught the heel of his compatriot Kevin, with the decision confirmed following a VAR review, and Jimenez calmly slotted home.
Forest looked to up the tempo after half-time, with Neco Williams forcing Bernd Leno into a routine save before Gibbs-White sent an audacious bicycle kick wide.
Murillo blasted straight at Leno as the visitors attempted to turn the screw, while another effort from Gibbs-White flashed wide of the left post.
But that was as close as Forest came to an equaliser, with Fulham not requiring a second goal, though they did go close to one when Jimenez glanced Kenny Tete's delivery wide following excellent work from substitute Josh King.
Jimenez remains spot on
Fulham have enjoyed several promising cup runs under Marco Silva's management, but the latest of those ended last week at the hands of Newcastle United, losing 2-1 in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
They were desperate for a response on Monday, knowing a defeat would drop them to 16th in the table for Christmas.
Barely more than 10 seconds had gone when Kevin launched their first raid, getting to the byline and sending in a tempting cross that only needed a touch.
While Fulham were not free flowing, the Brazilian gave them an outlet, and his sharp reactions allowed him to position himself between Luiz and the ball to win the all-important penalty.
Jimenez has now scored all 11 of the spot-kicks he has taken in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham, equalling Manchester City icon Yaya Toure for a 100 per cent record in competition history.
Fulham did not show much as an attacking force in open play after the break until the lively King entered the fray, but they also avoided giving anything away, with Tom Cairney's steadying influence allowing them to exert control in midfield.
Fulham have now won four of their last six Premier League games to move well clear of the relegation zone, and with a trip to struggling West Ham United up next, they have a chance to build some positive momentum.
Forest attack falls flat
Following West Ham's 3-0 defeat at Man City on Saturday, Dyche's team had a great chance to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom three to eight points.
Like Fulham – who have three players representing Nigeria – Forest were without a regular starter due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with Ibrahim Sangare absent after scoring one goal and assisting two in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last time out.
Forest had a few bright moments early on, but Jesus was leaning back when he attempted to turn Hudson-Odoi's centre goalwards.
Jesus also intercepted a loose pass from Robinson in an encouraging position, only for his shot to be charged down.
But Forest failed to record a shot on target before half-time and fell behind after Sangare's replacement Luiz swung at Kevin while lying on the ground.
It was a similar story for Forest in the second period, with most of their efforts coming from distance. And after Gibbs-White was surprisingly withdrawn in the 73rd minute, their creativity was stifled further.
Though Forest retain a buffer to the relegation zone, they face in-form Man City on Saturday, so this underwhelming attacking performance could be one they look back upon with a few regrets.
Club reports
What the managers said
Marco Silva: "It was a tight and difficult game. I thought the first half was better than the second from us. On the ball we weren't at our level. We had some good moments exploring the left-hand side. We scored in an important moment of the game just before half-time. We managed the second half well, I don't remember a good chance from Nottingham [Forest] but we needed to manage the ball better."
Sean Dyche: "It is about capitalising on the performances from ourselves. We have good moments but never threatened or asked the questions despite the good passages of play and areas. You have to penetrate and ask more questions. Not that they did to be fair, our 'keeper didn't have a save to make - other than the penalty. We looked a threat until we got into the final third. It is one of those frustrating nights. There was no lack of effort."
Next five PL fixtures
Key facts
Since the start of November, only Manchester City (21), Aston Villa (21) and Arsenal (17) have earned more points in the Premier League than Fulham (15).
Fulham have won four of their last six Premier League games (L2), as many victories as they enjoyed in their previous 15 games (D2 L9).
Forest have failed to score in four of their last six away Premier League games and in five of their last eight, after finding the back of the net in each of their eight on the road before that.
Gibbs-White made his 123rd Premier League appearance for Nottingham Forest, going level with Stuart Pearce; only Steve Chettle (174), Mark Crossley (162), Ian Woan (132) and Scott Gemmill (127) have made more for the club in the competition.