Nottingham Forest fought back to grab a 1-1 draw at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday as they moved out of the relegation zone.
Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace an early lead but they couldn’t build on it and Forest deservedly equalized in the second half through Chris Wood’s majestic header.
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The point moves Forest, who were handed a four-point deduction (which they’re appealing) during the international break after breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, out of the relegation zone on goal difference as they are level with Luton on 22 points with eight games to go.
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace are on 30 points and should have enough to stay clear of the relegation scrap late in the season.
Forest are up for the fight
There were concerns about how Forest would react to their four-point deduction. There shouldn’t have been. Ryan Yates was their spirit animal as he charged around midfield and dragged them to a point at a vociferous City Ground. There is plenty of experience in this Forest side and Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White were sharp on the counter, Wood provided a great focal point and a lively cameo from Gio Reyna proved Forest are up for the scrap to save themselves from relegation and can create and force the issue. But defensive frailties remain and they have to sharpen that up. Matz Sels made a fine save from Eze in the first half and Forest had the post to thank late in the second half as they secured a point to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. For now. There will be plenty of twists and turns ahead but Forest appear ready to embrace the anxiety of back-to-back relegation scraps.
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Eze was at the heart of everything good for Palace. The same can be said of Gibbs-White who set up Forest’s equalizer and did everything he could to try and get them a valuable win.
What’s next?
Nottingham Forest host Fulham on Tuesday, April 2, while Crystal Palace head to Bournemouth on the same day.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 11am ET Saturday (March 30)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch live on NBC.com
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace final score: 1-1
Mateta 11'; Wood 61
Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace live updates!
Full time: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace
A very even game and a draw is a fair result. Palace had big chances but Forest did a lot of the pressing and a draw was about right. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side proved they are up for the fight against relegation.
Palace hit the post from a corner
A wicked corner into the front post flicks off the head of a Forest defender and hits the far post and bounces clear. So close to a late winner for Palace. Forest breathe a sigh of relief.
Reyna denied by Henderson
The ball drops to Reyna and his powerful effort is on target but Dean Henderson pushes it away.
Sels denies Eze
Palace are having a go now it is level. Sels denies Eze and Forest scramble clear. Since the equalizer Palace have been the better team.
Wood heads home superbly! - Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace (61st minute)
What a moment. Reyna plays it to Gibbs-White and his clipped ball over the top finds Wood who somehow flicks home a header with his back to goal. Wow. What a finish. Forest are feeling it now.
Forest trying to get something going
Hudson-Odoi, Wood and Origi are putting themselves about but Palace are pretty comfortable. USMNT fans will be delighted to hear Gio Reyna is coming on for his first minutes since Feb. 24.
Half time: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Crystal Palace
It’s Palace who lead at the break and Forest have had plenty of the ball but haven’t done much with it. The Eagles are looking to counter and are dangerous from set pieces so Forest have to get on level terms early in the second half to take control of this must-win game.
Eze denied by Sels
Wonderful ball from Wharton and Eze is in but Sels makes a fine save.
Forest huffing and puffing
The hosts are seeing plenty of the ball with Hudson-Odoi particularly busy down their left flank but Palace are closing the gaps expertly. After that early goal, Palace have the perfect situation for an away display now.
What a finish from Mateta and that is clinical from Palace - Nottingham Forest 0-1 Crystal Palace (11th minute)
Palace win the ball back in midfield and Lerma plays a great ball to Eze and he cuts the ball back to Mateta who smashes home. Lovely finish from Palace.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Williams, Felipe, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Yates; Origi, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Richards; Munoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell; Ayew, Eze; Mateta
Nottingham Forest focus, team news
Forest have some fitness concerns over forwards Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi so that could see Divock Origi start. Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Elanga are so important to the way Forest play on the counter and they have to be solid defensively during the final stages of the season if they’re going to stay up.
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (undisclosed), Gonzalo Montiel (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Nuno Tavares (thigh), Ola Aina (undisclosed), Willy Boly (undisclosed)
Crystal Palace focus, team news
Injuries are piling up for Palace again and Johnstone, Olise, Guehi and Doucoure being out hits the spine of their team massively. Glasner has had some more time to work with his squad on the training ground and we should see more of his ideas in this Palace performance.
OUT: Michael Olise (hamstring), Marc Guehi (knee), Matheus Franca (adductor), Sam Johnstone (elbow), Rob Holding (ankle), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Jeffrey Schlupp (thigh)
