Three talking points as Nottingham Forest failed to take control at Selhurst Park, drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace and faltering in key moments to win the game. George Edwards was at the match
When Murillo scored Nottingham Forest’s equaliser with 25 minutes to play, it could have all gone differently.
Although Forest haven’t really reacted when going behind all season, their persistent, tireless and dogged mindset means that any positive moment has the potential to snowball into something greater.
However, the recent feeling that Forest are running out of steam was set into reality. The goal didn’t spur them on, it pushed them back, and they never attacked with the same fluidity and freedom that they have done for most of the season.
A better display than Brentford, they seemed happy with the point and were perhaps lucky to escape with it, Palace striking the woodwork twice and seeing a goal ruled out as the game drew to a close.
Setting up in the absence of Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s appearance at Selhurst Park was not what it was supposed to be. Sidelined with a knock sustained last Thursday, the winger’s appearance in the crowd signified the incredible bond between the players and supporters at this moment; very few Premier League players would do so so eagerly.
His presence in the stands was equally as noticeable as his absence on the field, Forest lacking balance with Anthony Elanga hesitant to cross throughout.
Palace made the pitch compact and Forest struggled to be themselves, with Elanga doubled up on throughout it was another match starved of service for Chris Wood.
The Reds spent time early on trying to go wide, but once they found balls into midfield, they began to purr. Murillo was back to his best, constantly picking out Elliot Anderson or Ibrahim Sangaré and his usual aggressive and defensive best.
His first Premier League start since August 2024, Sangaré didn’t do much wrong, always looking forward and very rarely giving the ball away despite his defensive positioning still being inconsistent.
And Anderson shone: passes, duels, recoveries, the lot — a mature and controlled display from an ever-maturing and talented mainstay.
Yet, Forest’s midfield dominance never really gave them control of the match, with Palace utilising the wide areas so effectively.
Decision-making and pace
In key moments, Forest just didn’t get it right.
Being clinical has been such an asset of Forest’s season so far, never needing a hatful of chances to graze the scoring charts. Yet, both in front of goal and in possession, they just couldn’t make it tick.
Both Elanga and Wood had golden chances in either half, efforts you feel both of them would have gobbled up if in the form they were in just weeks ago.
And Forest’s goal came from a chance where they were quick, something they very rarely were going forward. They constantly made one too many passes, or turned down a chance to cross, or took too long to shoot; trepidation and caution we haven’t seen before this season.
It almost felt like it was a conscious thing, maybe from the manager and with more midfielders on the pitch than usual, to take the game to Palace and perform like the top six team Forest currently are.
Granted, they have to find ways to play with the ball more and do so well, but they cannot afford for that to strip their core strengths of directness and risk-taking away from them.
Three crucial games loom
The Reds remain in the driving seat of their own destiny, but only just.
The point means Forest, with an inferior goal difference to those above, are just two points behind Chelsea in 5th and that lucrative Champions League spot.
That leaves one simple equation: win their remaining three to secure the Champions League.
A laughable prospect this time last year, Forest nervously beating Sheffield United to elevate themselves away from now League One-bound Luton Town and to relative Premier League safety.
Leicester and West Ham present two very winnable games, games that Forest must perform well in as much as win.
At this stage, winning is all that matters, but they need to win well to reinstate the feeling of belonging and reignite the spark lost over recent games. Victory away at Spurs never seemed to invigorate where it could have — a thumping home win against their relegated local rivals would certainly go a long way.
And Nottingham Forest can never have a quiet end to a season. There never seems to be a game where the result doesn’t matter, that something doesn’t hinge on; everything matters. Granted, this season’s end-of-term pressures are far more refreshing than the two previous.
Besides, who would want to support a boring football club, eh?
Follow The Famous Club on:
Bluesky | Facebook | Flipboard | Google News | Instagram | Reddit | Threads | WhatsApp | X (Twitter)
