“We shall overcome” read a banner passed through the bottom tier of the Trent End. “It’s time to bring the noise,” demanded a high-concept club social media post. In truth, the cacophony didn’t fully arrive until Chris Wood’s equaliser on the hour but once it did, the City Ground rocked with defiance until a hush descended at the final whistle.
In Nottingham Forest’s first game since a four-point deduction was imposed to drop them into the relegation zone the occasion had demanded a statement performance from a team with just a single league victory in 2024 . The stage was set for a vindication that would never arrive. Even if Forest ended their day out of the relegation zone but the immediate afterglow carried the disappointment of an opportunity missed. “We’re gonna need them,” said Nuno Espírito Santo, the manager charged with pulling Forest clear, of the club’s fans. “We all realise we are in this position.
Crystal Palace’s relegation worries are dwindling but away form continues to be a worry. A decent point here was an improvement. “I was told a point away in the Premier League is a good point so we respect a point here in Nottingham,” said Oliver Glasner. “It feels like two lost points though in some phases in the game we were not confident enough.”
The Austrian, kicking every ball on the sidelines in shiny white sneakers, has inherited the platinum benefit of Eberechi Eze. The wait for Eze to make an impact was brief, with his key role in Palace’s goal. Jefferson Lerma was given too much time to release him. In turn, Eze calmly laid the ball for Jean Philippe-Mateta to wallop home.
In later supplying Wood’s goal, Morgan Gibbs-White performed a similar function but where Eze exudes effortless elegance as playmaker, Gibbs-White fizzes with energy, at times almost too eager. In their own way, both proved effective though Eze’s second-half slalom through Forest defenders was an exhibition of ability that would grace any highlights reel. “When we moved the ball quick, we had control of the game,” said Glasner.
Eze’s artistry decorated a first half played at a breakneck, reckless pace. Forest were frantic yet none of their forwards appeared willing to shoot at Palace keeper Dean Henderson, on familiar soil as he fills in after Sam Johnstone’s season-ending injury. “Brilliant, absolutely brilliant” was Glasner’s glowing review of Henderson’s performance. Having scored, Palace created the next-best chance of the half, Adam Wharton setting up Eze, gliding through, before Matz Sels bravely smothered.
Stood behind the back row of the stands was Steven Reid, the Forest coach serving a touchline ban after an incendiary conclusion to the defeat by Liverpool.
Tempers and nerves have frayed at a club run in often chaotic fashion, drenched in history while living out an uncertain present and future. In pre-match, there was a minute’s appreciation for the late Larry Lloyd, a defensive rock on which the club’s European Cups was built on.
If Forest’s first-half efforts eventually sputtered, Nuno bemoaning “the pockets were not there” the second demanded increased craft and someone to shoot on goal. Anthony Elanga replacing struggling record signing Ibrahim Sangaré was the first Nuno move though Eze might have put Palace beyond reach but missed badly after Wharton – the highly impressive teenager – again showed his passing vision.
Henderson made his first save in the 52nd minute after Callum Hudson-Odoi cut inside. Next came Gio Reyna, handed half an hour to show off his talents. “I think he made an impact,” said Nuno. Within seconds, Gibbs-White’s chip had set up Chris Wood to perform an old-fashioned back-head for a seventh goal in eight matches.
“Since we arrived he has been amazing, when he’s healthy he delivers on the pitch,” said Nuno of his leading scorer.
Two teams with a habit of conceding late goals were soon entering their red zones.
When Daniel Munoz’s header rattled the post in the 88th minute, Palace came closest but Forest, hurried, anxious, with Reid audibly urging them to pile into the box, were unable to snatch it.
If other Saturday results eventually proved kind, they almost certainly need more and better to arrest their situation.
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