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Chris Wood scored his fifth Premier League of the season to fire Nottingham Forest to a narrow 1-0 victory over struggling Crystal Palace.
Forest made a purposeful start to proceedings at the City Ground, with Wood nodding wide from Elliot Anderson‘s exquisite delivery before Ryan Yates saw his header strike the woodwork.
The contest may have started with plenty of vigour and excitement, but the chances ultimately dried up until Wood guided a tame effort straight at Dean Henderson in first-half stoppage time.
With the score still goalless at the break, Palace’s Eberechi Eze led the quest for the breakthrough goal in the opening stages of the second half, forcing Matz Sels into action on a couple of occasions, including one fierce effort which needed to be pushed onto the bar.
While one goalkeeper covered himself in glory, Sels’ opposite number, Henderson, would have been disappointed with his efforts in Forest’s 65th-minute opener, with the shot-stopper unable to prevent Wood’s drilled strike from finding the net.
The hosts stood firm at the opposite end of the pitch to clinch their third clean sheet of the season and their first Premier League home win of the campaign.
The victory moves Forest up to eighth place in the Premier League table, while the visitors are left languishing in the drop zone after failing to win any of their opening eight games.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS. CRYSTAL PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
Wood goal vs. Crystal Palace (65th min, Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace)
The deadlock is finally broken following a goalkeeping mistake from Henderson. Wood’s driven shot from outside the box looks set to be pushed around the post by the Palace shot-stopper. Henderson gets a hand to it but he cannot prevent it from nestling in the net.
MAN OF THE MATCH – ELLIOT ANDERSON
Anderson produced an impressive display in the narrow victory, creating five chances, completing six dribbles and making 95% of his 38 passes.
The former Newcastle United was a key figure in most of Forest’s good work and was unfortunate not to get an assist when his superb delivery was headed wide by Wood in the first half.
While Anderson is our Man of the Match, it is worth noting that Sels was a close contender after he made seven saves during a fine performance in the Forest goal.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS. CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH STATS
Possession: Nottingham Forest 51%-49% Crystal Palace
Shots: Nottingham Forest 20-20 Crystal Palace
Shots on target: Nottingham Forest 6-7 Crystal Palace
Corners: Nottingham Forest 6-6 Crystal Palace
Fouls: Nottingham Forest 9-12 Crystal Palace
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
After claiming their first home league win of the season, Forest will head on their travels for Friday’s away clash against Leicester City.
As for the Eagles, they will attempt to end the wait for their first Premier League win of the season when they play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.