Palace and Forest share spoils in feisty draw

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest played out a feisty Premier League draw at Selhurst Park amid a backdrop of fan needle and managerial uncertainty.

The hosts opened the scoring after a tight opening 37 minutes, with Ismaila Sarr steering a clinical first-time finish past Matz Sels after being given too much time in the Forest box to meet a Daniel Munoz cross.

And they were millimetres from doubling their advantage with the final touch of the first half as an unmarked Marc Guehi headed against the near post following an Adam Wharton free-kick.

Palace were punished in the 57th minute when Forest scored with their first shot on target. Callum Hudson-Odoi collected a Dan Ndoye pass and outpaced the defence to beat keeper Dean Henderson at his near post.

Igor Jesus struck the post and new signing Omari Hutchinson lofted a finish over the bar in added time as Forest almost snatched a late winner.

The game was played amid a fervent and hostile atmosphere, with Eagles fans unhappy with Forest's involvement in their demotion from the Europa League to Uefa Conference League for breaching multi-ownership rules.

Forest took Palace's place in the Europa League, having finished seventh in the Premier League and expressed their concerns to Uefa.

The visitors made it four points from the opening two games, and this result ended an uncertain week where manager Nuno Espirito Santo's future has come into doubt.

Before the game, he said it was "nonsense" that he was trying to manipulate an exit and "of course" he wanted to stay as boss.

Ismaila Sarr's strike was Crystal Palace's first goal in the Premier League this season

Crystal Palace analysis: Sarr steps up amid banners & chants

The bad blood formed between Palace and Forest over the summer is unlikely to heal for quite some time. After all, Eagles fans have borne a grudge against Brighton for 50 years.

There were plenty of vigorous and unsavoury chants about Uefa, and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, from the home fans at Selhurst Park. None were flattering, nor was a large banner displayed in the Holmesdale End during the first half.

More immediate than the enmity towards Forest, however, are Palace manager Oliver Glasner's issues closer to home, and who they will be able to sign before 1 September.

Palace captain Guehi started this match, despite continued speculation over his future, but this was the first league game at Selhurst Park since forward Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal.

The man who had one-fifth of all Palace's shots last season has been near irreplaceable for Glasner, but he has to now find someone to fill the void.

Palace have experience of replacing their most creative players in the past, with Michael Olise coming in after Wilfried Zaha left, and Eze starring when the Frenchman joined Bayern Munich.

Now they will hope Senegal international Sarr, who was often Eze's support act, can step up to be a key figure.

The former Watford winger was lively throughout, beating defenders and firing in crosses before getting on the end of one from Munoz for the opener.

Even without Eze, Palace still have quality and a clear way of playing - hit striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and have him hold up the ball for quick runners to break through.

But Glasner's lack of squad depth, especially with a European campaign, was evident by the presence of two goalkeepers on the bench.

Nottingham Forest analysis: Below-par showing after troubled week

"Where there's smoke, there's fire," said Nuno when asked about rumours over his future as manager.

Not the words of a man in a happy work environment.

Despite saying he wanted to stay before the game, the rift with owner Marinakis sparked fears among fans that this could be the last game in charge for the man who brought European football back to the City Ground.

It is no longer an issue over a lack of investment. Three major signings Hutchinson, Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee made their debuts off the bench.

But on the field Forest continue to look very reliant on Chris Wood, who has scored 33 goals in 54 Premier League appearances under Nuno.

He came close to another in the first half, cutting a Morgan Gibbs-White cross narrowly wide after just six minutes.

However, Forest failed to build on that bright start and did not have a shot on target in the first half. Despite a late flurry after their equaliser, there was only marginal improvement.

Keeper Henderson was twice Palace's Wembley hero in their FA Cup final and Community Shield successes, but here he could not stop Hudson-Odoi's low shot despite getting a boot to the ball.

He will undoubtedly be unhappy to concede in such a manner in front of watching England manager Thomas Tuchel, who will name his squad later this week for September World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

The point offered some respite for Nuno. Just how much remains to be seen.

What's next for these teams?

Palace travel to Norway for the second leg of their Uefa Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad on Thursday, leading 1-0 on aggregate. They then visit Aston Villa in the Premier League next Sunday (19:00 BST).

Forest are also in Premier League action next Sunday at home to West Ham (14:00 BST).