Nottingham Forest's hopes of securing a UEFA Champions League spot suffered a blow on Monday after a tense 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. The result leaves Forest in sixth place in the Premier League, one point behind Chelsea and Newcastle United, with the top five set to qualify for next season's elite European competition.
Forest, which spent much of the season in the top three, has managed just one win in its last four matches—a slump that has allowed rivals to overtake them. A victory at Selhurst Park would have leveled their points with fourth-placed Chelsea, but a lackluster performance saw both teams share the spoils in a match marred by eight yellow cards.
Crystal Palace struck first in the 60th minute after a video review confirmed a penalty for goalkeeper Matz Sels' challenge on Tyrick Mitchell. Eberechi Eze calmly converted the spot-kick, but Forest responded swiftly. Defender Murillo redirected Neco Williams' goal-bound shot past Palace keeper Dean Henderson to equalize four minutes later.
Palace came agonizingly close to a winner in stoppage time, with Eze hitting the post and Eddie Nketiah's goal ruled out for offside. The draw extends Palace's winless league run to five matches, despite manager Oliver Glasner praising his team's effort. “We were unlucky in a few situations,” he said, “but I'm pleased with the performance.”
For Forest, the focus now shifts to salvaging their European ambitions in a fiercely competitive Premier League race.
