Nottingham Forest out of drop zone as Wood earns point against Crystal Palace

“We shall overcome” read a banner passed through the bottom tier of the Trent End. “It’s time to bring the noise,” demanded a high-concept club social media post. In truth, the cacophony didn’t fully arrive until Chris Wood’s equaliser on the hour mark but once it did, the City Ground rocked to the sound of hope and defiance until a quiet descended at the final whistle.

The occasion demanded a statement performance from a team with just a single league victory in 2024 as Nottingham Forest’s first game since a four-point deduction was imposed, dropping them into the relegation zone. With an appeal launched Forest fans, more than willing to voice their anger with Premier League powers that be, the stage was set for a vindication that never arrived.

Barring Oliver Glasner taking what now seems an unlikely new manager plunge, rather than bounce, Palace’s relegation worries are dwindling but their away form continues to be a worry. A point here was an improvement. The Austrian kicking every ball in his shiny white sneakers, has inherited the platinum benefit of Eberechi Eze. Palace’s playmaker caused trouble from the start, Forest’s Felipe committing a cynical early foul on him as the only means to stop a high-class player in full flight.

The wait for another chance was short, as Jefferson Lerma was given time to release Eze, who in turn calmly laid the ball for Jean Philippe-Mateta to wallop home. In supplying Wood’s goal, Morgan Gibbs-White performed a similar function to Eze. Where Eze exudes effortless elegance as a playmaker, Gibbs-White fizzes with energy, at times almost too eager. In their own way, both proved effective though Eze’s second-half slalom through Forest defenders was an exhibition of ability that would grace any highlights reel.

Eze’s artistry stood out amid a first half played at a breakneck, reckless pace, bar the visitors’ attempts to take their time over breaks in play. Forest were frantic yet none of their forwards appeared willing to take on the shot that might challenge Palace keeper Dean Henderson, on familiar soil as he filled in after Sam Johnstone’s season-ending injury. Having taken the lead, it was Palace who created the next-best chance of the half, Adam Wharton’s slide-rule pass setting up Eze, gliding through, before Matz Sels threw himself bravely forward to smother.

Stood behind the back row of the stands was Steven Reid, the Forest assistant manager serving a touchline ban after an incendiary conclusion to his team’s defeat to Liverpool. Tempers and nerves have frayed at a club run in chaotic fashion, drenched in history while living out an uncertain present and future. Their manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, despite a team selection that did not meet the approval of fans, received warm applause as he took to the dugout at a sun-drenched City Ground before there was minute’s appreciation for Larry Lloyd, one of the defensive rocks on which the club’s double European Cup glory was built on.

If Forest’s first-half efforts eventually sputtered, the second demanded more energy, increased craft and someone to take responsibility with shooting on goal. Anthony Elanga replacing struggling record signing Ibrahim Sangaré was the first Nuno move. Eze might soon have put Palace beyond reach but missed badly when Wharton - the highly impressive teenager - showed the vision to find his team’s main man.

Henderson was asked to make his first save in the 52nd minute, as Callum Hudson-Odoi cut in from the left as Forest stepped it up. In came Gio Reyna, given half an hour to show off his talents. Within seconds of the American’s arrival, Gibbs-White’s chip set up Chris Wood to perform an old-fashioned back-header to equalise and Forest suddenly cooked with intention.

Reyna, bobbing and weaving, forced a save from Henderson before Gibbs-White fired just over the bar. Two teams with a habit of conceding late goals were entering their red zones. When Daniel Muñoz’s header rattled the post in the 88th minute, Palace came closest but Forest, hurried, anxious, with Reid urging them to pile into the box were unable to snatch it. If other Saturday results proved kind to them, Forest need far more to arrest their situation.