Nottingham Forest’s aspirations for European competition took a setback after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday. The match at Selhurst Park was intense, with both teams eager to secure crucial points.
Steve Cooper’s side has been pushing to break into the top tier of the league, but a run of just one win in four matches has seen them slip behind Chelsea, Newcastle, and a resurgent Manchester City. A victory would have propelled them higher in the standings, but the draw keeps them in sixth place, just outside the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.
The game was marked by its scrappy nature, with eight players receiving bookings as tensions ran high. Crystal Palace broke the deadlock after an hour when Eberechi Eze confidently converted a penalty following a VAR review that adjudged the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper to have fouled Tyrick Mitchell in the box.
Forest responded swiftly. Just four minutes later, Murillo managed to deflect a goal-bound shot from Neco Williams past the Palace keeper, leveling the score. The closing moments were filled with drama, including Eze striking the woodwork in the dying seconds. Despite both teams’ efforts, the match ended in a stalemate.
“We were unlucky in a few situations—hitting the post, the offside call—but the players fought hard and created many opportunities,” said Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson. “It’s not easy against a team like Forest, so overall, I’m really pleased with the performance today.”
