Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League) 21.10.24

Forest are serious about moving up, as they earn maximum points at home for the first time this season.

In the first win in six at home, Forest showcased a superb second half performance, seeing them overcome a – very much – in trouble Crystal Palace, for whom see themselves only a couple of positions from rock-bottom.

The first half

It was always going to be a tactical battle, wasn’t it? Glasner adopts a wonderful approach, a high press, Eze & Kamada behind Nketiah, but the three rotate, a tough presence for a defence to handle. Forest needed to “plug the gaps”, stop Palace from opening up space, and using it to penetrate into the final third.

Forest struggled, initially – players mentioned, Eze & Kamada, sat between the lines, and had some shots off – as did Nketiah – but, for what would become a theme, failed to go any further.

Albeit starting on the backfoot, Forest worked their way back in, with a quick succession of chances at, for the most part, the head of Chris Wood, who was unlucky not to score, had it not been for Henderson saves, and a lack of power. Elliot Anderson was particularly important in this stint, recovering the ball, and carrying it deep into enemy lines, in and out of the opposition players as if they were mannequins at the Nigel Doughty academy. Straight off the training pitch. Geordie Messi? Geordie Maradona? The Whitley bay…I don’t know, I’ve ran out, but he’s pretty good!

Forest lost that momentum, and Palace grew back into the game – Hughes, as you could imagine “lauded” by the Forest fans – a key part in that. Nothing came of it.

Forest had a last ditch attempt in the final seconds – Wood again – but despite his marvellous leap, he couldn’t get the placement desired.

The second half

In the absence of Gibbs-White & Nuno, Forest didn’t lack leadership; Milenkovic commanded his team to a strong start.

Early efforts came, and once again Wood was a big part of that. Palace exchanged shots of their own, but Matz Sels – and my word what a goalkeeper – continued his red hot form. Quick, world class saves, one after another. For what some called a backup, he’s proving to be a star.

Eventually Forest broke the deadlock, moments after entering Jota Silva to the field, as Chalobah’s attempted clearance falls to the Bagsman, who shoots first time – perhaps speculatively – and puts it past Dean Henderson. He took the chance, and, as he said in his post-match interview, or to the tune of: “take the chance, you may just catch the GK off guard,” and that time, he did. Henderson’s fingertips brushed aside by the power of the shot, Forest take the lead. “Woody” etched into Forest history – 20 goals for Forest in the Premier League, only Bryan Roy & Stan Collymore can say they’ve done the same. Also, his celebration alluded to him having a child – he’s now announces he will become a father to a baby girl, how incredible.

Soon after, Palace brought on players to ease the onslaught, and maybe push for an equaliser, with Nketiah failing to deliver. Mateta came on, and definitely changed the game, but Hughes being removed killed some creativity & steadiness they once had — I feel the wrong change, in my view, for Palace.

Mateta’s physical presence made it tough for Forest’s now-back five which included newly subbed Morato & Williams. Im not a fan of the approach, games aren’t as fun, but it worked – and Forest needed three points. And got just that.

Seven minutes added on, and still Palace couldn’t penetrate Forest’s fortress at the back – six goals conceded in eight for the Reds, only behind Liverpool with that record defensively (the only team to beat Liverpool also this season).

All round, better performance than Fulham by far, carried on from Chelsea, and showing where they want to be – pushing up. Not waiting for a freak result, but actively controlling games, and putting it to their opponent. That second half was fantastic, and Forest’s work rate commendable.

Elliot Anderson was my Man of the Match, with Matz Sels & Nicolas Dominguez in for calls for second.

Palace ought to stick with Glasner, who tactically presents a strong game plan, but his game management was a let-down. Mateta, top scorer last year, should start over Nketiah, who hasn’t shown much quality. Wharton, well, without doubt a miss – Kamada struggled in the second half, and most of the later stages of the first. Think Wharton can feel hard done by for not getting in over Kamada, in that respect. I think Palace have the quality to turn it around, but the selection has to be better, and – as much as their is a sour taste saying this, and bias aside – Will Hughes should play more. He is what Palace need.

Anyway, onto the next – Forest v Leicester, King Power Stadium, Friday night. A tough challenge physically & mentally – Forest need to be at their absolute best. It won’t be an easy challenge.

A fantastic three points for Forest tonight though.

All eyes, now on the King Power.

*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Chris Wood celebrates the winner for Forest.