Nottingham Forest just won’t give up — and Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace is proof that their dream of European football is still very much alive.
At Selhurst Park, under the chilly London sky, Nottingham Forest fought back from a goal down to grab a vital point in their pursuit of a top-five Premier League finish.
The result may not have been a win, but it felt like a victory for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side — a team that finished 17th last season and is now daring to believe in Champions League football.
Nottingham Forest’s Never-Say-Die Spirit
This was a game where Nottingham Forest had to dig deep. With results over the weekend piling on pressure, and four losses in their last five matches including an FA Cup exit, Forest needed a response. And they got it.
After falling behind in the 60th minute to a well-taken penalty by Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, the away fans feared the worst. But four minutes later, Brazilian defender Murillo popped up with a smart finish to level the score, keeping Nottingham Forest firmly in the race for Europe.
Murillo’s goal — a clever redirection of a shot from Neco Williams — showcased Forest’s fighting spirit, the same spirit that’s kept them competitive all season despite injuries and limited squad depth.
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The Stakes Are Getting Higher
With just three matches left — including a local derby against Leicester, a tricky visit to West Ham, and a season finale against Chelsea — every point counts for Nottingham Forest. And while a draw might not usually be something to celebrate, the context makes it feel massive.
Speaking after the match, coach Nuno Espírito Santo praised his team’s mentality.
“We are pushing the players – not only physically, but mentally – for this big fight we are in,” he said. “Character, confidence and controlling anxiety – all these aspects will be very important.”
And it showed. Despite going behind and losing Murillo to injury in the closing stages, Forest held on — and almost stole it at the end before Eddie Nketiah’s goal for Palace was ruled out for offside.
Crystal Palace Apply Pressure Early
For most of the first half, Nottingham Forest had to withstand heavy pressure. Crystal Palace, fresh off an FA Cup semi-final and with European hopes of their own, looked threatening. Ismaïla Sarr and Chris Richards came close, while midfielder Adam Wharton was forced off after picking up a knock following Eze’s opener.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels, making a rare start, was involved in a key moment that led to the Palace penalty. A mistimed challenge on Tyrick Mitchell was initially waved off by the referee but overturned by VAR. Eze made no mistake from the spot, firing Palace ahead.
But Forest weren’t done yet.
Murillo Steps Up for Nottingham Forest
The equaliser came quickly, thanks to Forest’s quick thinking and ability to pounce on set-piece chaos. Neco Williams’s effort looked to be going wide before Murillo instinctively diverted it into the net.
That goal summed up the heart and hunger that Nottingham Forest have shown all season — a team without the budget or depth of their rivals but one that refuses to be outworked or outwilled.
It was a bittersweet night for the Brazilian, who had to be subbed off with an injury later, but his contribution was priceless.
Forest Still Believing
With this result, Nottingham Forest now sit just outside the top five, with everything still to play for. The point not only halts their poor run of form but also injects belief into a squad that could have easily given up weeks ago.
The fans, who travelled in numbers to south London, were loud and proud throughout the night — and they’ll be dreaming of more historic moments in the weeks ahead.
For a club with two European Cups in its cabinet but decades in the shadows, the return to continental football would mean everything. And thanks to nights like this, it’s still a possibility.
The final stretch of the season will test this team like never before. They’ll need to stay focused, stay healthy, and hope key players like Murillo can recover quickly.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Nottingham Forest this season, it’s that they’re not going down without a fight.
