Crystal Palace overturned an early deficit to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday, spoiling Oliver Glasner’s return to the club he once led to cup glory. The win lifted the hosts to 12th place in the Premier League, while Forest slipped to 14th after failing to hold onto their opening lead.
Early dominance and a quick goal
Nottingham Forest started the match on the front foot, creating several chances inside the first five minutes. Their pressure paid off in the third minute when Dan Ndoye slotted a low finish past Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita, giving Forest a deserved lead. The early strike suggested the visitors might continue to dominate, especially as they kept the ball in dangerous areas and forced Palace into a defensive shape.
Palace struggled to find rhythm in those opening minutes. Liam Delap saw an opportunity to double Forest’s advantage, only to see Walter Benítez produce a reflex save from close range. Morgan Gibbs‑White also tested the Palace goal, his effort rattling the crossbar. Those missed chances would later prove costly as the home side began to regroup.
Palace’s first‑half comeback
The turning point arrived just before the interval. Daichi Kamada, who had been a quiet presence on the wing, linked up with a well‑worked move and fired home his first Premier League goal, restoring parity at 1‑1. The goal sparked a surge of energy among the Palace supporters and players alike.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Palace pressed higher. In added time of the first half, Jefferson Lerma rose to meet a cross and headed the ball into the net, putting the home side 2‑1 ahead as the referee signalled stoppage time. Replays later suggested the ball brushed Anan Khalaili’s elbow during the header, but the goal stood, leaving Forest stunned.
The late first‑half surge gave Palace a psychological edge. The chants from the Selhurst Park crowd grew louder, with some supporters directing their voices toward Oliver Glasner, who had returned to the club after a two‑year absence.
Second‑half seal and Forest’s fightback attempts
The second half saw Palace consolidate their lead. Yeremy Pino, who had been a constant threat on the left, collected a pass inside the box and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, extending the lead to 3‑1. The goal reinforced Palace’s control and dampened any hopes Forest harbored of a comeback.
Forest tried to respond. Substitute Chris Wood made a late run into the area, only to see Benítez produce another important save, preserving the two‑goal cushion. Despite a few moments of pressure, Forest could not find a breakthrough, and the match ended with the scoreline reflecting Palace’s dominant second half.
Background to Glasner’s return
Oliver Glasner left Crystal Palace at the end of last season after guiding the club to an FA Cup final and a historic run in European competition. He took charge of Nottingham Forest in the summer, hoping to replicate his success in the Midlands. This fixture marked his first appearance back at Selhurst Park since his departure, adding an emotional layer to the contest.
Palace’s supporters, still remembering the silverware era, greeted Glasner with a mix of nostalgia and expectation. The chants aimed at him after Pino’s goal highlighted the lingering sentiment that the club’s most celebrated recent achievements were still fresh in fans’ minds.
What the result means
The three points move Crystal Palace up to 12th in the Premier League table, offering a boost after a difficult start to the season. The comeback victory also provides a morale lift for a side that had struggled to convert early chances in previous games.
For Nottingham Forest, the defeat is a setback. Dropping to 14th, they must assess why early dominance failed to translate into points. The missed opportunities from Delap and Gibbs‑White, as well as the inability to equalise after Palace’s second goal, will be points of analysis for the coaching staff.
Looking ahead
Both teams have upcoming fixtures that will test the lessons learned from Sunday’s game. Palace will aim to build on the momentum generated by the comeback, while Forest will look to tighten their defence after taking the lead and to capitalize on the chances they create. Oliver Glasner, meanwhile, will have to address the disappointment of seeing his return to Selhurst Park end in defeat, as he seeks to steer Forest back into the points race.
