Nottingham Forest`s recent dip in form continued as they drew 1-1 away to Crystal Palace, impacting their push for a Champions League spot. Despite the draw, their European destiny still rests precariously in their own hands.
Earlier in April, Nuno Espirito Santo`s side sat third in the table with a comfortable 10-point lead over sixth place, fueling dreams of hosting top European clubs at the City Ground. However, last night`s point at Selhurst Park marks only one victory in their last five Premier League matches.
The scoring opened on the hour mark when Eberechi Eze converted a VAR-awarded penalty for Crystal Palace. Forest responded quickly just four minutes later through Murillo, whose deflected effort secured a point.
This result leaves Forest in sixth place, two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle, with three fixtures remaining. Their final match against Chelsea is poised to be crucial, requiring maximum points from their remaining games – at home against already relegated Leicester and away at West Ham – to maintain any hope. Chelsea`s upcoming game against Newcastle also adds another layer to the race.
Ultimately, Forest will feel this situation should not have arisen, having allowed their strong position to slip. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, who are looking forward to an FA Cup final this month, are now just four points shy of achieving their highest ever Premier League points total. Eberechi Eze, fresh from a recent online chess win, delivered a standout performance for Palace.
Nuno Espirito Santo made changes following their 2-0 loss to Brentford, including giving the injury-prone Ibrahim Sangare his first league start since August. Callum Hudson-Odoi`s hamstring problem also forced a reshuffle.
Palace fielded the same team that beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final, and the atmosphere at Selhurst Park mirrored the Wembley energy. Forest, appearing nervous and hesitant from the start, struggled to cope with Palace`s early pressure, symbolized by a flurry of corners.
The home side seemed comfortable, perhaps overly so, as Tyrick Mitchell almost scored an own goal saved by Dean Henderson. While Palace`s intensity was somewhat lacking, their focus might understandably have been split with the upcoming final, unlike Forest, who needed a win but played cautiously.
Palace`s first clear chance came in the 34th minute when Matz Sels saved Sarr`s header from Mitchell`s cross. A VAR check for a potential penalty on Chris Wood minutes before halftime was dismissed.
Anthony Elanga had a golden opportunity from a classic Forest counter-attack just after the break but shot directly at Henderson. Forest needed a breakthrough, and Chris Wood came close in the 50th minute, but his shot deflected just wide off Lacroix, leaving Nuno visibly frustrated.
Moments later, Sels made another crucial save from Sarr. The decisive moment for Palace arrived when Mitchell was fouled in the box by Nicolas Dominguez and Matz Sels. Despite the initial wave-away, VAR intervened, confirming the penalty and earning Sels a booking. Eze calmly dispatched the spot-kick for his tenth goal of the season, his stuttered run-up sparking protests from Forest players.
Forest`s equalizer came somewhat fortunately. Nico Williams` long-range shot deflected off Murillo`s leg and into the net.
Palace pressed hard in the closing stages as Forest defended deep. Maxence Lacroix headed just over, Eze hit the crossbar from distance, and Eddie Nketiah had a goal ruled out for offside in injury time, creating a tense finish for Nuno. While Forest salvaged a point and remain in contention, there is now minimal room for error in the final matches.
Crystal Palace, with 46 points, are just four points away from achieving their best-ever points tally in a Premier League season under Oliver Glasner.
