Hudson‑Odoi’s precision preserves Forest’s poise amid Selhurst storm

On a night loaded with hostility and subplots, Nottingham Forest steadied themselves to take a 1-1 draw from Selhurst Park. Trailing to Ismaila Sarr’s 37th‑minute strike, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side found a way back through Callum Hudson‑Odoi on 57 minutes to quieten the noise and extend a useful start to the season.

The equaliser arrived from Forest’s only shot on target, fashioned by a Dan Ndoye switch of play and finished inside Dean Henderson’s near post. A late surge almost won it — Igor Jesus struck the upright in stoppage time and Omari Hutchinson lifted over — while a VAR review at the other end waved away appeals after Murillo’s contact on Sarr.

Hostility, security and a point to prove

Branded “El Casico” after the summer’s legal wrangle that sent Forest to the Europa League in Palace’s place, this fixture was always going to be spiky. Evangelos Marinakis did not attend, but the visitors arrived with a notable security presence and the away end gave full voice, answering the home crowd’s anti‑Uefa chorus and banner with defiance.

On the pitch, Forest began on the front foot. Chris Wood darted across the near post to meet a Morgan Gibbs‑White cross and later teed up the midfielder for a chance that flew over, but there was no shot on target before half-time as Palace wrested control and took the lead through Sarr.

Nuno’s adjustments change the picture

Under scrutiny after a turbulent week, Nuno insisted pre‑match that talk he was angling for an exit was “nonsense” and reiterated his desire to stay, even as he acknowledged his relationship with the owner is “not the same.” His tweaks after the break — notably switching Hudson‑Odoi and Ndoye — were decisive.

Ndoye’s raking pass exposed space down Palace’s left and Hudson‑Odoi did the rest, powering into the box and finishing low at the near post with Henderson unable to divert it despite getting a boot to the ball. The goal reset the tone and gave Forest a platform from which to push for more.

Debuts and late danger at the death

Nuno turned to his new recruits, handing debuts to James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Omari Hutchinson as Forest chased the game. The fresh legs tilted the field and, in stoppage time, Igor Jesus broke clear only to thud a shot against the post — an agonising near‑miss that would have capped a remarkable turnaround.

Hutchinson, too, found space but lifted a late finish over the bar, while at the other end a VAR review for a possible foul on Sarr against Murillo ended without penalty. The momentum, though, was with Forest by the end, their counterpunches and athleticism finally telling.

Trajectory and context for Nuno’s Forest

The point makes it four from the opening two games and maintains Forest’s record of not having lost at Selhurst Park since 2003. It also offered some respite at the end of a week of uncertainty around the manager’s future, a reminder of the group’s resilience under pressure.

There remains refinement to come — the first half produced no efforts on target — but the balance between Hudson‑Odoi’s thrust, Ndoye’s delivery and Chris Wood’s penalty‑area craft bodes well. Next up is West Ham at the City Ground on Sunday, with debuts banked, confidence reinforced and the season’s platform strengthened.