Forest’s top five bid dented by Palace draw

LONDON: Nottingham Forest´s bid to qualify for the Champions League suffered a setback as they were held to a damaging 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.

Nuno Espirito Santo´s side needed a victory to keep pace with their top five rivals.

But Eberechi Eze´s second-half penalty put Palace ahead and, although Murillo equalised soon afterwards, Forest left south London outside the Champions League places.

Sixth-placed Forest´s attempt to appear in Europe´s elite club competition for the first time since 1980-81 is now out of their hands.

They sit two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle, with third-placed Manchester City three points ahead of Forest.

Forest have three games left, with winnable fixtures against Leicester and West Ham before what could be on a final-day shootout against Chelsea.

“We were in control of the game. We created and dominated a lot. Second half was different. Good reaction but Palace created problems,” Nuno said.

“Palace are really dangerous if they have the shape. It´s important not to allow too much counter-attacks. We were positive but it´s not easy to play at Selhurst Park.

“We have to do our job at the City Ground. We play Leicester and it will to be tough. It´s for sure going to be like that all the way.”

Nuno´s team were without injured winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who instead joined the away fans in one corner of Selhurst Park.

FA Cup finalists Palace dominated the early stages, with some eye-catching interplay between Eze and Adam Wharton in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Their first chance arrived when Tyrick Mitchell whipped in a cross which fellow full-back Daniel Munoz met on the volley, forcing a save from Matz Sels. But Forest grew into the game and Elliot Anderson hit the side netting from a deep Nicolas Dominguez cross.

They almost made the breakthrough two minutes before half-time with a trademark counter-attack as Dominguez and Wood combined to tee up Anthony Elanga, but his finish was too close to Dean Henderson.

Wood was denied the opening goal by Maxence Lacroix´s block as his shot rolled narrowly wide early in the second half. Palace went ahead on the hour after Mitchell was felled by a combination of Dominguez and Selz in the area.

Referee Andy Madley did not initially give the penalty but changed his mind after a look at the replay, with Eze tucking away the spot-kick.

Wharton went off with an ankle injury as Palace boss Oliver Glasner took no chances with his influential midfielder before the FA Cup final against Manchester City.