Nottingham Forest aren’t finished just yet. A typically wholehearted performance from Nuno Espírito Santo’s side rescued a point that could eventually prove priceless for their hopes of reaching the promised land of the Champions League next season.
It is to their immense credit that with three matches still to play, a team who ended last season in 17th place are still in contention to dine at Europe’s top table. Having fallen behind to Eberechi Eze’s penalty in front of a joyousCrystal Palacecrowd still basking in the glory of their upcoming appearance in the FA Cup final, that they were back on terms within four minutes thanks to Murillo’s clever finish spoke volumes about the spirit Nuno has created at the two-time European champions since replacing Steve Cooper.
Eze almost won it for Oliver Glasner’s side at the death but his shot cannoned off the crossbar to give the travelling supporters hope that their dreams could still come true.
Results over the weekend had only multiplied Forest’s desperation to rediscover their form after four defeats in their past five, including theFA Cup semi-finalagainst Manchester City. Facing a Palace team refreshed from being given four days off aftertheir exploits at Wembleylooked a tough proposition. But Nuno insisted beforehand that his players must embrace the pressure because “nobody expected us to be here in this fight”.
Part of Forest’s problem in recent weeks has been a lack of squad depth in comparison with their rivals for the top five. Midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré was handed his first Premier League start since August as one of two changes from theirdamaging defeat by Brentford last week, with Callum Hudson-Odoi – who went to school just down the road – spotted with fans in the away section after being ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Glasner signalled his intentions by naming the same side thatdemolished Aston Villanine days ago as New York Jets owner Woody Johnson – who is reportedly interested in investing in Palace – watched from the stands with chair Steve Parish. He was treated to a stirring start from the hosts that saw Chris Richards almost scramble home from a corner as Palace besieged the Forest box.
But Nuno’s side have been built on strong foundations and they were able to soak up the early pressure and wait for an opportunity. Their patience was almost rewarded when Tyrick Mitchell made a mess of his header back to Dean Henderson. Luckily for Mitchell, the England goalkeeper was alert enough to stick out his left foot just in time to prevent a comical own goal.
A sweeping move from Palace almost broke the deadlock but Matz Sels was able to palm away Daniel Muñoz’s volley from a deep Mitchell cross. Sangaré joined Nicolás Domínguez in the book for bringing down the lively Ismaïla Sarr before Forest’s appeals for a penalty were turned down after Chris Wood went to ground inside the area as Elliot Anderson hit the side-netting from a Morgan Gibbs-White free-kick.
Wrapped up warm in a hat and gloves on a chilly evening in south London, Nuno was ready to celebrate when the captain launched a swift break downfield that, to his disappointment, ended with Anthony Elanga firing straight at Henderson.
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The hat had been dispensed with for the start of the second half but it was Palace who came storming out of the blocks. Wembley hero Sarr headed wide before almost finishing off a sublime move that was started by a brilliant piece of control from Adam Wharton, only to be denied by Sels. Wood had an even better chance moments later at the other end but his shot clipped Maxence Lacroix’s leg and went agonisingly wide.
Disaster struck for Forest when Sarr found space to pick out Mitchell with a perfect cross and he was taken out by Sels, although referee Andy Madley initially allowed play to continue. His decision was swiftly overturned after Madley consulted the pitchside monitor, allowing Eze to slot home emphatically.
Yet Palace’s celebrations were tempered by the sight of Wharton trudging down the tunnel after receiving treatment for a foot problem. Henderson was at full stretch to save Elanga’s free-kick from a tight angle and it was from the resulting corner that they drew level thanks to Murillo’s piece of quick thinking to divert a shot from Neco Williams that was going wide.
The Brazilian being forced off injured almost immediately after scoring was a concern for Nuno but he could breathe a huge sigh of relief when substitute Eddie Nketiah saw his goal in injury time ruled out for offside after Eze had struck the woodwork.