Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and his defense stood strong in a tight but scoreless draw with Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Johnstone made five saves as both sides missed chances to take all three points from London on Saturday, leaving both midtable heading into the international break.
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Palace has three wins and three draws from eight matches this season and was hoping to build on a memorable away defeat of Manchester United. Instead, it’s ninth-place footing for their now 12 points.
Forest has lost just once from five matches and that came against Man City. The Tricky Trees sit 13tth with nine points.
Who was missing led to what the game was missing
Both sides had absences that led the glaring holes in their attacks.
Forest produced plenty, with Morgan Gibbs-White returning to the Starting XI and creating four chances and taking two shots. But Chris Wood was quiet and Divock Origi not much better in his place, as Taiwo Awoniyi’s absence loomed large in London for the visitors.
As for Palace, Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta returned but didn’t find themselves in dangerous positions. While they’ve teamed up for a goal or two already this season, they — as well as Jordan Ayew — will always be better with Eberechi Eze and/or Michael Olise on the field.
Eze joined Olise on the sidelines Saturday and Matheus Franca is still yet to debut. The playmaking was minimal, and the forwards were almost starved to the extent that Forest keeper Matt Turner was only called into action on maybe a half-dozen or so occasions.
Get well soon.
What’s next?
Palace goes to Newcastle for a 10am ET Saturday Oct. 21 kickoff, the same time that Forest welcomes Luton Town to the City Ground.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest final score: 0-0
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest player ratings
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest player ratings (fotmob.com)
Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest halftime analysis
Nottingham Forest, how are you not ahead?
Morgan Gibbs-White chipped Sam Johnstone but saw his effort hit the post, and 21-year-old center back Murillo was later denied by the Palace keeper on a mesmerizing dribble to his doorstep.
Johnstone has been required to make four saves while Forest’s USMNT keeper Turner has not had to make a stop at the other end.
Forest has an 8-2 advantage in shot attempts and Palace has a lot of work to do as creativity has been hard to find without Eberechi Eze in the fold.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 10am ET Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Stream: Watch online via Peacock Premium
Crystal Palace lineup
Odsonne Edouard passes a late fitness check and will start with Jean-Philippe Mateta in Palace’s attack.
In the Palace corner 🦅#CRYNFO | @shophumm
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 7, 2023
Nottingham Forest lineup
Chris Wood comes in for Taiwo Awoniyi, who is not fit to start atop Steve Cooper’s XI.
🔁 Three changes from #NFOBRE.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 7, 2023
🇳🇿 Wood leads the line.
✨ Gibbs-White returns to the XI.
Our line-up to face @CPFC.
📋 #CRYNFO
Focus on Crystal Palace
Odsonne Edouard’s return would be huge, especially with Eberechi Eze joining Michael Olise and Matheus Franca on the mend. Jean-Philippe Mateta has delivered some productive days off the bench but could be a feature component along with Jordan Ayew.
OUT: Eberechi Eze (thigh), Michael Olise (thigh), Dean Henderson (thigh), Matheus Franca (back), James Tomkins (calf), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), Nathan Ferguson (thigh), Naouirou Ahamada (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Odsonne Edouard (hamstring).
Focus on Nottingham Forest
Forest’s injury list has grown and Moussa Niakhate’s suspension won’t help things. The health of Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates can swing this fixture given Palace’s health struggles.
OUT: Danilo (thigh), Wayne Hennessey (knee), Moussa Niakhate (suspension), Felipe (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Nuno Tavares (groin), Nicolas Dominguez (groin), Ola Aina (muscular), Ryan Yates (thigh).
