Nottingham Forest Defeat Palace as Henderson’s Howler Costs | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Climb to Eighth with Victory over Struggling Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest secured their first home win of the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, a result that leaves the Eagles winless and deep in relegation trouble. Dean Henderson’s costly mistake handed Forest the only goal of the game, sealing three points and boosting Forest to eighth in the Premier League table.

Dean Henderson’s Blunder Proves Pivotal

The pivotal moment came in the second half when Chris Wood capitalised on a weak clearance by Palace defender Trevoh Chalobah. Wood’s 20-yard strike should have been a routine save for Henderson, but the ball squirmed under the goalkeeper’s arm and rolled into the back of the net. It was a blow Palace could ill afford, especially with interim England manager Lee Carsley in the stands, observing Henderson’s performance closely.

Henderson’s error was symptomatic of a Palace side struggling for form. This latest defeat leaves Oliver Glasner’s team in the Premier League’s bottom three, with no wins to their name, while Nottingham Forest’s confidence grows as they continue to rise in the standings.

Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah Threaten but Fail to Score

Crystal Palace started brightly, with both Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah coming agonisingly close to giving their side the lead. Eze looked sharp early on, striking the woodwork, and Nketiah followed up with a 30-yard effort that clipped the post. It was a moment that could have changed the course of the match, but instead, it proved to be the high point of Palace’s attacking play.

As the game progressed, Nottingham Forest found their rhythm, and the momentum shifted in their favour. Ryan Yates was unlucky to see his header bounce off the post in the 22nd minute, while Elliott Anderson’s dynamic run forced Henderson into making a fine save, keeping the scores level at half-time.

Nottingham Forest’s Persistence Pays Off

Forest came out with renewed vigour after the break, and their persistence eventually paid off. Chris Wood, already a thorn in Palace’s defence, was in the right place at the right time to take advantage of Chalobah’s mishit clearance. His first-time effort was enough to break the deadlock, though Henderson will rue his part in the goal.

Palace, for all their efforts, failed to respond. Eze came closest when his powerful strike was turned onto the bar by Forest’s Matz Sels, but the Eagles couldn’t find a way back into the game.

Forest on the Rise, Palace in Trouble

The win marked a significant boost for Nottingham Forest, who now sit comfortably in eighth place in the Premier League standings. With manager Nuno Espirito Santo watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, his team demonstrated the resilience and composure needed to grind out important results.

Meanwhile, for Crystal Palace, the pressure continues to mount. Their inability to convert promising chances into goals leaves them firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. With tough fixtures ahead, Oliver Glasner’s side must find solutions quickly if they are to avoid a prolonged battle to stay in the Premier League.