Crystal Palace & Nottm Forest draw in Premier League
Murillo equalised after Eze penalty gave Eagles lead in second half
Forest stay sixth, two points adrift of Champions League places
Palace are 12th in table, five points behind 11th-placed Fulham
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Gameweek 35 of the Premier League is done and dusted.
The race for the Champions League is about to reach boiling point, but that's all from us tonight.
Fear not, we'll be back on Thursday night as Tottenham and Manchester United look to reach the Europa League final while Chelsea hope to book their spot in the Conference League final.
See you then!
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Here's where we stand after the 35th round of Premier League football.
That race for the Champions League is going down to the wire.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Good sum up. I think it was pretty even especially after taking the lead, the equaliser was too quick. It was a set play and a deflected ball. I really liked how the players wanted to win this game. I'm really pleased. The players showed today they wanted to win this game but it was a draw. The desire to win was unbelievable.
"We had many situations in the 60 or 70 minutes to come from the wing but our crosses were nt good enough. We got the penalty. We found the rhythm and we had set plays. You always have to be aware of the transitions but we did well. We weren't as efficient as in other games.
On not rotating: "Players want to play and stay in the best shape. The best players in the best team want to play. We had a great impact from the bench and this is great for the next weeks.
On Wharton injury: "It doesn't look like it's really serious. It was more precaution."
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Palace have been in the Premier League for over a decade now and have never finished higher than 10th. We have spells of playing well and picking up points but our inconsistency and too many draws always cost us over a season. We're getting close this year, but unfortunately the cycle of improving players and then having to sell them will see us move backwards next season.
Adam, Croydon
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno EspÃrito Santo, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Let's think about the game. It was two halves, first we were very good. It was good for us we achieved the goal so soon after the goal of Palace. That gave us belief to fight for the game. After last week, a good attitude.
"It's about finding ourselves again after the last three games. We defended better, it's so obvious. Against a talented opponent in Palace.
"The final games will be nervous, tight games. Everyone is fighting for something.
"Tough place to come. Selhurst Park is always a tough place to come.
On Hudson-Odoi and Murillo injuries: "He has an injury, we don't know exactly when he will be available. Hopefully before the end of the season. We will assess him now.
"All the teams in this big fight will give it a go."
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to Sky Sports: "Very intense game, how we expected it and we have to accept the points. The winning mentality to the team showed, they really wanted to get the winner but they fought. It's not easy against a team like Nottingham. I'm really pleased with the performance today.
"We knew how they defended. The six is very deep. We wanted to use our sixes to spread the play and create an overload. We had enough chances to win the game. We are always talking about our performance and it was really good again so everything OK.
On Eze taking penalty: "Players are practising this almost every day and we spoke before the game about who takes the penalty. We had 100% confidence in him. iIt's part of the game that you can miss a penalty.
On record points: "We want to achieve this. I was talking to the players about the mindset and attitude. I've experienced it so many times; you had a big win and then in two weeks you play the final, it's not too easy to find the focus but I could see this desire to win the game. We showed our personality."
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
A goal and a thunderous strike off the crossbar tonight for Eberechi Eze.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
More from Crystal Palace goalscorer Eberechi Eze speaking to Sky Sports on finishing the season strongly: "It's big, we've got huge motivation in the team, we're all positive, we're all working towards this goal, we know how important this phase is.
"We're going to do everything to achieve as much as we can towards the end of the season. I feel like the mentality we showed today, that's how we're going to do it, and as long as we keep this, that's the main thing."
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Forest are the only team in the Top 7 not to have a season long campaign of European games… yet their players look the most tired!
From Nick
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Forest should beat Leicester and West Ham then they play Chelsea which could decide the teams.
Ali
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson to PLP: "I think we're disappointed, we did enough to win the game. We went on the front foot but they don't give you much. They defend so well in a low block and they did that again tonight.
On Eze penalty: "He's been practising every day since so I had full confidence in him. It's a great penalty so I'm delighted for him.
"I don't know what happened. I thought it came off one of our lads. It was difficult. We defended well tonight. They have pace on the attack but we nullified that as best we could.
On Wharton coming off: "I think he's fine. It think it's an impact injury. He'll rest up and be fine."
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
This point may be really important considering what's happening next weekend. They've [Nottingham Forest] got Leicester at home, a game they should win.
Newcastle and Chelsea play each other. If that's a draw, they go level with them, and if one of them loses, they go above one of them.
The rest have really tough games. There will be points dropped next week, no doubt about it.
Tonight may not feel like the greatest result in the world as a Nottingham Forest fan, but if they win next week, it's a guarantee that teams will drop points.
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Newcastle beat Chelsea next week, then don't win against Arsenal. Gives us a situation were possibly Forest and Chelsea can draw their final game and both get top 5 if Newcastle lose to Everton. This season has been bonkers. Many an abacus has been destroyed trying to work out all the permutations.
Tom, Nottingham
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Next weekend could be one where Forest gain some ground.
Forest host Leicester while Chelsea go to Newcastle and Aston Villa visit Bournemouth.
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Image source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to Sky Sports: "We reacted good form the previous performance and from the blow we got from the penalty of Palace. We were in control of the game. We created and dominated a lot. Second half was different. Good reaction but Palace created problems.
"Palace has a very organised shape. They 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 were much improved from last week, especially when we go behind. Very important, it's the crucial moment of the game to react so quick and then the game became a bit crazy.
On Murillo: "Only scans can show. He's in pain but let's assess him.
"We have to do our job at the City Ground. We play Leicester and it's going to be tough. It's for sure all the way."
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports
He's [Murillo] alright. He's laughing and joking. That's too much of a limp, that.
I can guarantee, Nottingham Forest fans, he will be fine for next week.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
It'll be a massive worry for Forest fans seeing Murillo limping off with a hamstring injury.
Jamie Carragher in the Sky Sports studio seems to think he'll be fine though. He looked too happy apparently!
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace goalscorer Eberechi Eze speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we had quite a few chances at the end. I thought we were going to take it at the end, but I think a point, we'll take it. We're positive, we know we put in a good performance today.
"We had quite a bit of time off but I think the boys were top today to come back. It was a high emotion game a week ago, so to put in a performance like this today was important for us."
On his penalty: "I think the way I take pens is how I take them. I'm always practicing, I'm always trying to learn how to improve. I knew I'd have to put more on it this time. I saw that he [Matz Sels] was still standing when I stopped, so I knew if I put enough power it was going to go in.
"Each pen is different, goalkeepers try different techniques to try and save it. I'm always adapting, always trying to learn and understand how to improve this penalty, and I've found what works for me, so I'll keep doing it as long as I'm practicing."
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Let's hear from Palace goalscorer Eberechi Eze.
FT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
So, Forest stay in sixth but are just two adrift of Chelsea in fifth.
That game at the City Ground between those two sides could be huge on the final day.
The draw keeps Forest sixth while Palace remain 12th
Nottingham Forest remained in the race for a Champions League place despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Eberechi Eze opened the scoring from the spot after the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened to show Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels taking out Tyrick Mitchell in the penalty area.
But the hosts' lead lasted just four minutes as Murillo flicked on Neco Williams' powerful strike past Dean Henderson.
The goals arrived after a lacklustre first half, in which each side lacked quality in front of goal.
Mitchell delivered a superb cross to an unmarked Daniel Munoz, who could only sweep an awkward volley straight at Sels, while Anthony Elanga failed to complete a blistering counter-attack when he sent his strike at Henderson.
Chris Wood felt he should have been awarded a first-half penalty when he was pulled back by Munoz as Forest delivered a free-kick into the box, but referee Andrew Madley waved away the appeals and VAR quickly backed up his decision.
In a frantic spell after the interval, Ismaila Sarr was kept out by the onrushing Sels before Maxence Lacroix made a crucial block at the other end to stop Wood from scoring his 20th Premier League goal of the season.
Eze puffed out his chest and soaked up the admiration of the Palace crowd after slamming his penalty into the left corner, but Murillo's quick-thinking flicked finish dulled the atmosphere at Selhurst Park.
Substitute Eddie Nketiah thought he had won the game at the death for Palace when he prodded a wide shot from Eze into the back of the net, but their celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
The draw keeps Forest sixth, two points behind Newcastle and Chelsea - in fourth and fifth - with three games remaining.
Palace remain 12th and are three points away from equalling their best Premier League points tally of 49, set last season.
'Everybody is fighting for something' - Nuno
After a difficult week in which they missed out on reaching the FA Cup final and their top-five hopes were dented by a loss to Brentford, Forest were in desperate need of three points to boost their bid for Champions League football next season.
With both teams lacking a clinical edge in the first half, the visitors were set back by Sels' rashness in rushing off his line and clattering into Mitchell for Palace's penalty.
A moment of magic from Murillo, whether intentional or not, got Forest out of trouble, but Palace were the better team after the equaliser and unfortunate not to find a winner as Eze rattled the woodwork in the 88th minute.
Two points behind Newcastle and Chelsea, Forest are far from out of the Champions League race given they face Enzo Maresca's Blues on the last day of the season.
More worrying for Nuno Espirito Santo will be the manner in which Murillo limped off with an apparent hamstring injury.
The Brazilian has been crucial to Forest's success this season alongside his Serbian centre-back partner Nikola Milenkovic, who will also need to be assessed after taking a knock to the head in second-half stoppage time.
'Commitment and desire to win was excellent' - Glasner
Palace manager Oliver Glasner named the same side which emphatically beat Aston Villa 3-0 in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Still riding the wave of that joyous occasion, Palace enjoyed a lively start before being pinned back by the visitors.
After missing a spot-kick at Newcastle last month, Eze banished those penalty demons with a ruthless strike that was sure to impress England boss Thomas Tuchel in the stands.
The same could not be said of Eze's team-mates, who lacked his clinical edge.
Nketiah and Lacroix sent clear-cut chances over the bar late on, while Nketiah could easily have stepped into an onside position for his disallowed goal.
Palace's bid to qualify for Europe via the league appears all but over and their best hope of securing a Europa League place is by doing something they never have - winning the FA Cup when they face Manchester City in the final on 17 May.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 25 | 7 | 3 | 81 | 35 | 46 | 82 |
| |
| 35 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 64 | 31 | 33 | 67 |
| |
| 35 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 64 |
| |
| 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 66 | 45 | 21 | 63 |
| |
| 35 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 62 | 41 | 21 | 63 |
| |
| 35 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 42 | 12 | 61 |
| |
| 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 55 | 49 | 6 | 60 |
| |
| 35 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 55 | 42 | 13 | 53 |
| |
| 35 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 62 | 53 | 9 | 52 |
| |
| 35 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 57 | 56 | 1 | 52 |
| |
| 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 50 | 47 | 3 | 51 |
| |
| 35 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 44 | 48 | -4 | 46 |
| |
| 35 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 51 | 62 | -11 | 41 |
| |
| 35 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 36 | 43 | -7 | 39 |
| |
| 35 | 10 | 9 | 16 | 42 | 51 | -9 | 39 |
| |
| 35 | 11 | 5 | 19 | 63 | 57 | 6 | 38 |
| |
| 35 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 40 | 59 | -19 | 37 |
| |
| 35 | 4 | 10 | 21 | 35 | 76 | -41 | 22 |
| |
| 35 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 29 | 76 | -47 | 21 |
| |
| 35 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 25 | 82 | -57 | 11 |
|
Manager: Oliver Glasner
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Nuno EspÃrito Santo
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Oliver Glasner
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Nuno EspÃrito Santo
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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Crystal Palace have only won one of their last 14 league meetings with Nottingham Forest (D6 L7) and are winless in eight (D5 L3) since a 1-0 win in the Championship in December 2011.
Nottingham Forest have never lost in nine Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace (W4 D5), the only opponent they have faced more than twice in the competition without losing, and the only side the Eagles have faced 5+ times in the Premier League without winning.
Crystal Palace are winless in their last four Premier League matches (D2 L2), last having a longer run when going eight without a win at the start of this season.
Nottingham Forest have won nine away Premier League matches this season and have only won 10 top-flight away matches in a season on three occasions – in 1977-78 (finished 1st), 1978-79 (2nd) and 1994-95 (3rd).
Crystal Palace conceded 14 Premier League goals in April, the most of any side. It was their joint most in a single month in Premier League history, also shipping 14 in December 2020.
Nottingham Forest have won two of their last three away Premier League games in London (L1), as many as they did across their previous 23 trips to the capital combined (W2 D5 L16). Forest are looking to win three away games in London in a season for the second time in the Premier League, also doing so in 1994-95
Across their last 24 Premier League matches played on a Monday, Crystal Palace have picked up just three wins (D9 L12), though one of those was in their last home Monday game in May 2024 when they hammered Man Utd 4-0.
Chris Wood has scored 17 goals in his last 24 Premier League appearances on the road for Nottingham Forest and has nine away goals this season, with no Forest player ever scoring 10 away goals in a season. He could be the sixth player to score 10+ home goals and 10+ away goals in a Premier League season over the age of 30, with Mohamed Salah also achieving that in 2024-25.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 10 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances, all in 2025. It’s the second consecutive season he’s scored 10+ goals from January until the end of the season, scoring 14 in 18 games in 2023-24 in that timeframe, with Andrew Johnson the only Eagles player to achieve this beforehand (11 in 2004-05).
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has been involved in 13 goals in his last 18 starts in all competitions (6 goals, 7 assists) and another goal would see him become the first Palace since they returned to the Premier League in 2013 to have both 10+ goals and 10+ assists in all competitions in a season.
