Dean Henderson's costly mistake against Nottingham Forest marked a difficult night for Crystal Palace, as they fell 1-0 on Monday. The England goalkeeper failed to handle Chris Wood's low shot from outside the box, allowing it to slip through his fingers. This defeat left the Eagles struggling in the relegation zone, still searching for their first league victory of the season. With only five goals scored across their opening eight games, they remain the lowest-scoring team in the Premier League.
While Palace fought hard, hitting the woodwork through Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze, they were unable to convert their opportunities into goals. In contrast, Nottingham Forest is enjoying a strong start to the season, climbing to eighth place in the league and surpassing both Manchester United and Newcastle. This impressive run is underscored by Wood's form; since Nuno Espirito Santo took charge in December, only Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer have scored more Premier League goals than him.
Forest's head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was unable to be on the touchline due to a three-match ban, watching his team secure their first home win since April from the stands. The team was also without several key players, including Morgan Gibbs-White and James Ward-Prowse, who were suspended for the match. Despite these absences, Forest capitalized on their chances, showcasing the effective striking ability that Palace currently lacks.
After the game, Wood reflected on his goal, noting that while he typically prefers to shoot from inside the box, he was pleased with the outcome. Meanwhile, Palace captain Marc Guehi expressed frustration over his team's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, emphasizing that any small mistake is being punished at this critical juncture. Despite their struggles, Palace remains just one point away from safety, with Ipswich, Southampton, and Wolves also yet to secure a win this season.
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