Nottingham Forest finally clinched their first home win of the Premier League season, edging Crystal Palace 1-0 in a tight contest at the City Ground.
The game was settled by a second-half strike from Chris Wood, who capitalized on a mistake by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
It was a result that not only lifted Forest up to eighth in the Premier League table but also extended Palace’s winless run to eight games, leaving them stuck in 18th place.
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Chris Wood’s Moment of Brilliance Secures Forest’s Victory
The clash between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace was as tight as they come, with both sides trading blows but struggling to break the deadlock.
It took a moment of misjudgment from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson to hand Forest the win. Chris Wood, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, struck a low drive from 25 yards.
Though the shot was well-hit, Henderson should have saved it. Instead, the ball slipped under his grasp and nestled into the bottom-left corner, giving Forest the lead.
Wood’s goal marked his 19th for the club in the Premier League, continuing his excellent form. On another night, the striker could have bagged a hat-trick, having missed two other chances in a lively first half.
His persistence paid off after the break, and Forest managed to hold onto the slender lead to secure all three points.
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Forest’s Tactical Discipline Pays Off
Throughout the match, Nottingham Forest displayed tactical discipline, keeping Crystal Palace at bay despite the visitors showing moments of danger.
The first half saw both teams hit the woodwork, with Palace’s Eberechi Eze coming close on multiple occasions. A brilliant long-range strike from Eze was tipped onto the bar by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, while Forest captain Ryan Yates also saw a header bounce off the post.
Nottingham Forest under pressure to get their first home win of the season, kept their composure. In the second half, they focused on maintaining possession and drawing Palace out of their defensive shape.
This tactical approach worked, as Palace struggled to create clear-cut chances, leaving them frustrated as the minutes ticked away.
Crystal Palace’s Struggles Continue
For Palace, the loss added more pressure to manager Oliver Glasner, whose side has yet to register a win this season. Despite their efforts, Palace’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal was evident. Their xG (expected goals) of 1.12 was inferior to Forest’s 1.62, reflecting the visitors’ difficulty in converting chances.
Dean Henderson, who was in goal for Palace after featuring for England during the international break, will be particularly disappointed with his performance. The former Manchester United goalkeeper’s blunder proved costly, and he’ll know he should have done better to keep out Wood’s effort.
Palace’s attacking stars, including Eddie Nketiah and Eze, struggled to break down a resolute Forest defense. Nketiah, who showed flashes of brilliance, lacked the clinical touch needed to find the back of the net. Glasner’s side remains stuck in the relegation zone, and the pressure is mounting for the Eagles to turn their season around.
Defensive Resilience from Forest
While Chris Wood grabbed the headlines with his goal, Nottingham Forest’s defense also deserves credit for their solid performance. Ola Aina and Murillo were standout performers at the back, with Murillo in particular making a crucial block to deny Nketiah a golden opportunity in the first half.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels was another key figure, making several important saves, including a stunning stop to deny Jeffrey Schlupp in the second half. Schlupp’s curling effort looked destined for the top-right corner, but Sels’ outstretched hand kept Forest’s lead intact.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who was serving a touchline ban for this match, would have been pleased with how his team managed the closing stages. The home side did well to keep possession and frustrate Palace, preventing any last-minute drama.
Palace’s Late Push Fizzles Out
As the clock ran down, Palace attempted to pile on the pressure, with Glasner bringing on fresh legs in the form of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp. However, their efforts were in vain as Forest’s defense stood firm.
A late corner from Palace briefly raised hopes for the away fans, but Matz Sels came off his line confidently to punch the ball clear. As the final whistle blew, the home crowd erupted in celebration, knowing their team had secured a vital three points.
