Ismaila Sarr’s first-half penalty earned Crystal Palace a hard-fought Premier League draw against 10-man Nottingham Forest in a contest shaped by a dramatic moment just before the interval.
The point lifts Palace to 14th in the table, while Forest remain 17th, three points further back but still six clear of the relegation zone.
For Sean Dyche, there was plenty to admire in his side’s display, even if it ultimately yielded only a share of the spoils.
Forest had taken a deserved lead when Morgan Gibbs-White showed great composure inside the box, chesting the ball down before finishing calmly from close range.
The hosts looked in control and were comfortably the better side until the pivotal incident arrived on the stroke of half-time.
Defender Neco Williams was shown a straight red card for handling Jefferson Lerma’s goal-bound header, handing Palace an unexpected lifeline.
Sarr made no mistake from the spot, confidently dispatching the penalty to level the score in a half where the visitors had struggled to impose themselves.
Forest’s problems deepened when goalkeeper Matz Sels was forced off injured at the break, on a day that began with the unveiling of new signing Stefan Ortega.
Yet rather than retreat, the home side continued to play with intent. Gibbs-White and Ola Aina both had chances to restore the lead as Forest refused to simply protect the point.
For Palace, the draw ended a run of three straight defeats, but it extended their winless streak to 12 matches in all competitions.
Despite playing the entire second half with a numerical advantage, Oliver Glasner’s side failed to register a single shot on target after the break - a source of clear frustration for the Austrian coach.
The league table may still make uncomfortable reading, but Forest’s performance suggested a team moving in the right direction.
Playing with 10 men for more than half the match, they remained organised, ambitious and arguably the more threatening side.
Gibbs-White was at the heart of everything positive in attack, while Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson controlled midfield until Williams’ red card tilted the balance.
Dyche’s side showed little of the caution often associated with his teams, continuing to press forward whenever the opportunity arose.
Forest are now unbeaten in four Premier League matches and have begun to generate momentum after a turbulent start to the season that saw managerial changes in quick succession.
Their midweek 4-0 demolition of Ferencvaros also secured progression to the Europa League play-off round, where Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos await.
After a memorable 2024-25 campaign that included FA Cup glory and European qualification, Palace have found this season far more challenging.
While edging nine points clear of the bottom three will offer some comfort, the performance at the City Ground underlined their attacking struggles.
With Jean-Philippe Mateta unavailable, Palace lacked cutting edge and physical presence, particularly in the second half.
Angus Gunn, replacing the injured Sels, was barely tested, and Palace failed to muster a single effort on target after Sarr’s penalty.
That Forest created more chances and enjoyed more touches in the Palace box despite being a man down was a damning reflection of the Eagles’ flat display.
Results may be keeping relegation fears at bay, but Glasner will know improvement is needed - and quickly.
