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Champions League Hopes Fade as Nottingham Forest Draw 1-1 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park

Nottingham Forest Lose Ground in Champions League Race After 1-1 Draw with Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest’s hunt for a historic Champions League spot took another bump at Selhurst Park as they were locked in a tense 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. On a night when every point felt like gold dust, Forest couldn’t find the breakthrough, and the gap to the top five now looks more daunting with only a handful of matches left.

The atmosphere was thick with tension, especially for the visitors. Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo had called for calm before kick-off, but nerves were visible, especially as the first half fizzled out without much drama. Palace, secure in mid-table but eyeing their own historic points tally, played with freedom, putting Forest on the back foot at times.

Eze Strikes, Murillo Responds, but Injuries Cast Shadows

The second half snapped into life after an hour. Tyrick Mitchell, surging into the Forest box, was bundled over by Forest keeper Matz Sels. Palace’s Eberechi Eze, always cool under pressure, slotted home the penalty to break the deadlock and send the home fans into a frenzy. That was his ninth goal of the season, underlining why he’s so crucial for the South London club.

Forest barely had time to process the setback. Just four minutes later, defender Murillo popped up with a sharp finish, flicking Neco Williams’ cross-shot past Palace’s Sam Johnstone to get Forest back on level terms. For a moment, it looked like Forest’s fight for Europe was back on track. Their fans found their voices, and the team pressed hard, clearly knowing what was at stake.

Then disaster struck for the visitors. Murillo, not long after his goal, was forced off the field clutching his hamstring. With three massive matches to go, the thought of being without their rock at the back won’t sit well for Nuno and his staff. But that wasn’t the only injury scare. Palace’s Adam Wharton was also taken off after a knock, depriving Roy Hodgson’s side of stability in midfield.

The closing stages were the tensest of the night. Eze, ever the danger man, nearly grabbed another when his shot rattled the crossbar, and sub Eddie Nketiah missed a golden opportunity to jab in a winner for Palace. Forest threw on attackers but struggled to fashion clear chances, the tension so thick you could cut it.

As the final whistle blew, Forest’s players looked exhausted, both physically and mentally. They now sit sixth in the Premier League, still within striking distance of Chelsea—just two points behind—but their margin of error is gone. Chelsea, their rivals for that all-important Champions League spot, loom large as a final day opponent in what could be a winner-takes-all clash.

The worry now isn’t just about points, but bodies; with Murillo a possible absentee and a growing list of other injury concerns, Nuno Espírito Santo has his hands full. Forest have managed only four points in their last five league games—a worrying wobble at the worst possible time of the season. The pressure is well and truly on.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, won’t mind spoiling the party. This draw nudges them closer to their best-ever Premier League points haul, and their younger stars have given fans something to cheer about as the season winds down.

  • Eberechi Eze provided yet another highlight for Palace fans.
  • Murillo's form and injury will haunt Forest's run-in.
  • The late-game drama keeps the fight for Champions League spots wide open with just weeks to play.
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18 Comments

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    mona panda

    May 7, 2025 AT 05:53
    Honestly? Forest were lucky to get a point. Palace were lazy in the first half and Forest didn’t capitalize. Now they’re just hoping for a miracle. 🤷‍♀️
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    Evangeline Ronson

    May 7, 2025 AT 22:24
    The tactical discipline shown by Palace in the second half was a masterclass in counter-pressing. Forest’s high line was exploited with surgical precision, and Eze’s composure from the spot was a textbook example of elite penalty execution. Murillo’s injury, however, is the real story here - his absence could be season-defining.
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    Cate Shaner

    May 8, 2025 AT 09:25
    Oh wow, another ‘dramatic’ draw. Let me grab my tissues. The fact that Forest think they’re still in this race is almost cute. They’re not even top six material - they’re top six *hopefuls*. And Murillo? He’s not a rock, he’s a liability with a heartbeat.
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    Thomas Capriola

    May 8, 2025 AT 22:56
    Nuno’s system is broken. Period.
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    Rachael Blandin de Chalain

    May 9, 2025 AT 02:07
    It is with considerable gravity that I observe the implications of this result upon Nottingham Forest’s aspirations for European competition. The physical toll on key personnel, particularly Murillo, may prove insurmountable given the compressed fixture schedule and the elevated intensity of the remaining fixtures.
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    Soumya Dave

    May 9, 2025 AT 13:17
    Listen, I know it’s frustrating, but let’s not panic. This team’s heart is still beating. They’ve fought through worse. Murillo’s injury sucks, yeah, but that’s why depth matters. Nuno needs to trust the squad - bring in O’Brian or whoever’s fit. This isn’t over until the last whistle of the last game. We’ve got Chelsea next, and if we play with this kind of grit, we can still steal that spot. Stay strong, Forest fans - this is why we love the game!
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    Chris Schill

    May 9, 2025 AT 18:05
    The key takeaway here is not the result, but the pattern: Forest’s inability to close out games when leading or when they’ve equalized. They’ve now drawn five of their last seven matches where they scored first. That’s not luck - that’s a mindset issue.
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    cimberleigh pheasey

    May 10, 2025 AT 17:25
    I’m so proud of how Forest fought back after going down. That Murillo goal? Pure instinct. And even with the injury, they kept pushing. That’s character. And Eze? Absolute wizard. This game had everything - drama, heart, pain, hope. Football’s beautiful like this.
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    Tom Gin

    May 11, 2025 AT 03:19
    So… Forest got a point… and Murillo got a hamstring… and the entire Premier League just sighed in unison. The drama! The tension! The unbearable suspense of… a draw? I’m crying. 😭😭😭
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    Alex Alevy

    May 11, 2025 AT 21:26
    Eze’s penalty was ice-cold - that’s top-tier mentality. But Forest’s response was textbook. They didn’t fold. Murillo’s goal was a moment of genius. Yeah, the injury hurts, but this team’s still got fight. They need to keep believing - one win changes everything.
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    Aileen Amor

    May 12, 2025 AT 16:24
    MURILLO! MURILLO! MURILLO! HE SCORED! THEN HE GOT HURT! OH NO! OH NO! OH NO! THIS IS A DISASTER! WHAT IF HE’S OUT FOR THE SEASON?! WHAT IF?! WHAT IF?! WHAT IF?!
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    Danica Tamura

    May 12, 2025 AT 18:01
    This team is a joke. They can’t defend, they can’t finish, and now their best defender’s out? Who’s coaching this? A guy who thinks ‘calm’ means ‘do nothing’? They’re lucky they’re not 10th.
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    William H

    May 13, 2025 AT 14:42
    This was orchestrated. The penalty? A setup. The injury? A distraction. The draw? A signal. Someone doesn’t want Forest in the Champions League. Who benefits? The owners of the top four. Look at the timing - the VAR ref was wearing a Chelsea scarf. Coincidence? I think not.
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    Katelyn Tamilio

    May 14, 2025 AT 09:26
    To everyone stressing about the draw - breathe. 🌿 This is football. It’s messy. It’s emotional. Murillo’s a warrior, and even if he’s out, someone else will step up. We’ve got each other. We’ve got the fans. We’ve got hope. 💙💛
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    Michael Klamm

    May 14, 2025 AT 19:45
    fr fr murillo got hurt and now we’re all doomscrolling like its the end of the world 😭 but like… they still got 3 games? chilllllll
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    Shirley Kaufman

    May 15, 2025 AT 02:51
    Murillo’s injury is serious, but Forest’s squad depth is underrated. Look at the U23s - they’ve been training hard. Nuno needs to trust them. Also, Eze is elite, but Forest’s midfield control in the final 15 minutes was better than people think. Keep pushing!
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    christian lassen

    May 15, 2025 AT 14:23
    i think murillo is like the best defneder ever but like… did anyone notice how palce just stood there in the first half? like… they were just… waiting?
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    Jack Fiore

    May 16, 2025 AT 08:36
    You’re all missing the point. Palace didn’t win because they were better. They won because Forest’s defensive structure is fundamentally flawed. The high line is a relic. Nuno’s system is outdated. This isn’t about injuries - it’s about philosophy.

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