Crystal Palace produced one of their strongest performances of the season, coming from behind to secure a convincing 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in their first Premier League fixture after the international break.
The Eagles endured a nightmare start at Selhurst Park when Dan Ndoye capitalised on a costly defensive error to give Forest the lead in the third minute. Anan Khalaili’s poor headed back pass presented the forward with an opportunity, and Ndoye made no mistake, finishing into the far corner to put the visitors ahead.
Despite the early setback, Palace refused to panic. The hosts gradually found their rhythm, moving the ball with greater confidence and putting Forest’s defence under increasing pressure.
Their persistence paid off in the 41st minute when Daichi Kamada restored parity. A slick sequence of one-touch passing unsettled the Forest defence, and the resulting confusion allowed the Japanese midfielder to find the net and bring Palace level.
The equaliser completely changed the momentum of the contest. Palace continued to press forward and were rewarded just before half-time when Jefferson Lerma put them ahead. Adam Wharton delivered a dangerous corner, and Lerma took advantage of the opportunity to send the hosts into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Nottingham Forest returned for the second half looking to recover from their late first-half collapse. The visitors enjoyed more possession overall and attempted to push Palace back, but their attacking efforts lacked the composure required to break down the home defence consistently.
Forest finished the match with 20 shots, compared with Palace’s 12, but the Eagles were more efficient with their attempts. Palace registered eight shots on target, while Forest managed six, highlighting the hosts’ ability to make their opportunities count.
The decisive moment arrived when Jørgen Strand Larsen found himself involved in a scramble inside the Forest penalty area. After a series of ricochets, his initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Matz Sels. However, the rebound fell kindly to Yéremi Pino, who finished into an almost empty net to make it 3-1.
The goal left Forest facing an uphill battle. Although they continued searching for a response, their missed chances and defensive lapses ultimately proved costly. Defensive uncertainty undermined Forest’s efforts. Palace repeatedly found space during crucial moments, and the visitors were unable to recover after conceding twice in quick succession around half-time.
The result leaves Nottingham Forest 14th in the Premier League standings, just two points above the relegation zone. They will need to improve their defensive concentration and finishing if they are to avoid being dragged further into the battle near the bottom of the table.
For Crystal Palace, the victory represents an encouraging return from the international break. Their ability to recover from an early mistake, take control before half-time and add a third goal in the second period demonstrated the attacking quality and resilience needed to build momentum.
Player Ratings
Crystal Palace Player Ratings
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| Walter Benítez | 7.0/10 |
| Jefferson Lerma | 7.5/10 |
| Chris Richards | 6.5/10 |
| Jaydee Canvot | 7.0/10 |
| Anan Khalaili | 5.5/10 |
| Adam Wharton | 8.0/10 |
| Quinten Timber | 7.5/10 |
| Tyrick Mitchell | 7.5/10 |
| Daichi Kamada | 7.5/10 |
| Yéremi Pino | 8.0/10 |
| Jørgen Strand Larsen | 6.5/10 |
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| Matz Sels | 6.0/10 |
| Ola Aina | 6.0/10 |
| Ousmane Diomande | 5.5/10 |
| Murillo | 6.0/10 |
| Daniel Muñoz | 6.0/10 |
| Xaver Schlager | 6.0/10 |
| James McAtee | 6.5/10 |
| Neco Williams | 6.0/10 |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | 6.5/10 |
| Dan Ndoye | 7.5/10 |
| Liam Delap | 6.0/10 |
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Crystal Palace | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 12 | 20 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 6 |
| Possession | 45% | 55% |
| Passes | 375 | 448 |
| Pass accuracy | 76% | 82% |
| Fouls | 11 | 10 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 2 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Corners | 5 | 8 |