Nottingham Forest’s top-five Premier League bid dented by Crystal Palace draw

LONDON – Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is expecting a nervy end to the season, as his club’s bid to qualify for the Champions League suffered a setback when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on May 5.

The visitors needed a victory to keep pace with their top-five rivals in the Premier League. 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.

The sixth-placed side’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 on 61 points, two behind fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle, with third-placed Manchester City three points ahead of Forest.

Nuno’s men have three games left, with winnable fixtures against Leicester City and West Ham United before what could be on a final-day shoot-out against Chelsea.

“We were in control of the game. We created and dominated a lot but it was a game of two halves. Second half was different. Good reaction but Palace created problems,” the manager 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 be tough. The final games (of the season) are going to be like this, nervous and tight games. Everybody is fighting for something. It’s for sure going to be like that.”

The Tricky Trees 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 fullback Daniel Munoz met on the volley, forcing a save from Matz Sels.

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

Palace then went ahead on the hour after Mitchell was felled by a combination of Dominguez and Sels 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 City on May 17.

Forest levelled in the 64th minute when Murillo stuck out a leg to flick Neco Williams’ shot past the wrong-footed Henderson.

Nuno’s team rode their luck late on as Eze clipped the crossbar with a 20-metre curler before Eddie Nketiah had the ball in the net, only to be flagged offside.

With the points shared, Glasner was pleased with his team’s performance. The Eagles remained in 12th spot on 46 points.

“You always have to be aware of Nottingham’s transitions. They had one or two good chances, we had five or six. Today we were not efficient enough,” he told Palace TV.

“But what I really loved today is our desire to win the game at the end. We were always playing forward, always creating chances.

“The way we played is the way we want to play until the final whistle of the game. This spirit and desire to win this game was excellent. We always demand 100 per cent effort.” AFP, REUTERS