Nottingham Forest came from behind to secure a point after drawing 1-1 with London club Crystal Palace at the City Ground. A second half header from Chris Wood cancelled out a first half goal from Jean Philippe Mateta as the Reds climb out the relegation zone after their four points deduction.
Nuno Espírito Santo made three changes from the side that drew to Luton Town last time out. Ola Aina returned from injury as he replaced Harry Toffolo at left back. Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first start in three games replacing the reliable Anthony Elanga. The other change came in defence as Felipe replaced an injured Willy Boly. Oliver Glasner made the one change from the side that drew to Luton in their last outing a week before the Hatters faced Forest. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone picked up an injury on international duty so Dean Henderson came in to face the side he spent last season on loan with.
It took ten minutes for the away side to take. A ball got played into Eberchi Eze in a central position as he cut the ball back to Mateta who’s first time shot beat Matz Sels. A sixth goal of the season for the big Frenchman as his physical presence causing issues for the Forest defence.
The Eagles almost got a second when Adam Wharton played a ball through to Eze who went one one one with Sels but was denied by the Belgium international. Eze picking up a lot of space between the Forest midfield and defence as Forest couldn’t seem to pick him up.
That was it for the first half with an extremely disappointing half for Forest as they couldn’t get into the game in what was a crucial match for Nuno’s side. Palace were finding it easy and needed to hold on just to ease any sort of relegation fears. Forest made a substitute at the break with Elanga replacing Ibrahim Sangare.
Forest started the second half off brightly. Morgan Gibbs-White lifting the ball to Callum Hudson-Odoi who cut in from the left but was denied by Henderson. A first real opportunity of the game for the Reds with Henderson being tested for the first time.
With half an hour to go, Forest found a equaliser. Gibbs-White with a ball from deep found Wood who, with his back turned to goal, headed the ball over Henderson as it looped into the net. The Reds top scorer with goals in back to back games and taking his tally up to ten this season in the Premier League.
Forest had another chance when substitute Giovani Reyna took aim from distance but was denied by Henderson.
That was it for the game as neither side could find the winning goal. A much better second half for Forest in comparison to their poor first half showing. The point takes them out the bottom three and level on points with Luton Town in a tense relegation battle. The Reds next entertain Marco Silva’s Fulham in a midweek clash at the City Ground. Palace will be disappointed not to hold on to the lead but a point closer to safety to keep up a decent start over Glasner. The result leaves the Eagles 14th in the table with a game away to AFC Bournemouth up next.
No comments:
Post a Comment