Hudson-Odoi secures point for Nottingham Forest at Crystal Palace in intriguing clash for several reasons | OneFootball

The spoils were shared in a feisty affair at Selhurst Park, with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s strike cancelling out Ismaila Sarr’s opener in a 1-1 draw.

Sarr’s goal sent the stadium into delirium but Hudson-Odoi’s neat finish in the second half ensured the points were shared.

Dubbed the ‘El CASico’ – a nod to the events that have unfolded this summer which saw Crystal Palace replaced by Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, after failing in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have their eviction for breaching multi-club ownership rules overturned.

This was not the only narrative at play here, however. Palace boss Oliver Glasner had earlier in the week publicly criticised the club’s failure to add more signings this summer, following the departure of key man Ebere Eze to Arsenal, and this was their first game since his exit was confirmed.

Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, had revealed tensions behind the scenes at Nottingham Forest in his pre-match press conference on Friday. On his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, Espirito Santo said: “The reality is that it is not what it used to be. What it used to be was a good, respectful relationship, but was more based on trust and sharing opinions, and now it’s not so good.”

The hostility was palpable before a ball had been kicked in South London. A rousing rendition of Glad All Over, accompanied by a large tifo of Joel Ward lifting the FA Cup, emerged from the Holmesdale End as Palace fans roared their team onto the pitch.

It was 21-year-old Justin Devenny who stepped into Eze’s shoes following his move to Arsenal, and he carved out the first chance of the game. Played through by Sarr, he attempted to square the ball across to Jean-Philippe Mateta, but his pass was cut out by a Forest defender before the Frenchman could receive the ball.

Forest responded well, with Chris Wood glancing an effort narrowly wide moments later from Morgan Gibbs-White’s inviting cross.

But the hosts continued to threaten throughout the first half, with their supporters rallying behind them on every attack. Mateta’s well-struck effort was met by an excellent save from Matz Sels, who won the Golden Glove alongside Arsenal’s David Raya last season.

Sarr broke the deadlock for the Eagles, slotting home a delicate first-time finish from Daniel Munoz’s cross. With the goal, Palace carried all the momentum, and both Will Hughes and Marc Guehi came tantalisingly close to doubling the deficit before the interval, but their efforts flashed wide and cannoned off the post respectively.

To the despair of the Palace faithful, Forest were able to cut through and level the score in the 57th minute. An incisive pass from new addition Dan Ndoye sliced open the Palace defence, allowing Hudson-Odoi to run in behind, glide past Tyrick Mitchell and fire into the back of the net.

James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Omari Hutchinson were handed their debuts for the visitors late into the second half in search of a winner, but it was Igor Jesus who came closest to snatching victory for Forest in injury time — his strike crashing off the post and ricocheting back into play. Hutchinson also spurned two huge chances to win it late on.

Espirito Santo said in his interview before the game that he hoped to sit down with owner Marinakis and head of football Edu Gaspar to work out their differences this week.

The Forest fans loudly chanted Nuno’s name after the full-time whistle – a clear indication to those above him that they would be devastated to lose the manager who got them back into Europe.

Glasner’s Palace will now travel to Norway looking to book their place in the Conference League league phase, carrying a one-goal advantage against Frederikstad. Forest, meanwhile, take on another London club in West Ham.