Crystal Palace Steady Before FA Cup Final After Draw with Nottingham Forest
You’d think there’d be nerves with Wembley on the horizon. But Crystal Palace looked calm and measured in their 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on May 5. The result was more than just another Premier League fixture—it was a reminder of resilience and composure with their first FA Cup final appearance in nearly a decade just around the corner.
The game’s opening was shaped by a moment Palace have worked hard to master. After a shaky defensive spell from Forest, Eberechi Eze stepped up to take the penalty—no hesitation, just a cool finish into the net. For Palace fans, it was a relief. They’ve seen the team fumble spot-kicks in the past, but Eze’s confidence at the penalty spot made a difference this time, underscoring the progress the squad has made in turning pressure into points.
Forest didn’t roll over, though. They matched Palace’s aggression, especially as the game approached the hour mark. Their equalizer—details still a bit fuzzy from initial reports—came after a period where they cranked up the tempo and pressed higher up the pitch. Forest’s push reflected just how much is on the line for them: a possible shot at Champions League qualification, something most fans have barely dared to dream of in recent years.
Across the ninety minutes, Palace showed more urgency early on, using their set-piece routines to keep Forest’s defense alert. While their finishing sometimes lacked bite, they carved out enough openings to hint at the blueprint head coach Oliver Glasner has been laying down since his arrival. Defensively, Palace were solid, maintaining a shape that’s helped them survive now thirteen straight seasons in the Premier League. Veteran defenders stepped up each time Forest looked dangerous in the box, with the backline mirroring the discipline and unity that teams fighting for trophies desperately need.
What This Draw Means for Both Clubs
The draw leaves Palace safe in the league, letting them shift their full attention to the FA Cup final—a huge occasion, with a shot at silverware for the first time since the heartbreak of 2016. With league matches against Derby County, West Ham United, and Chelsea still to play, Glasner has room to rotate and rest key players to keep them sharp for Wembley. Eze’s form will be crucial, not just for his penalty prowess but his link-up play—he’s in the best run of his Palace career, showing the poise that top clubs crave.
For Nottingham Forest, the story hangs on European hopes. After a deflating loss to Brentford, picking up a point here doesn’t exactly ease the pressure, but it gives them a foothold as they push for the top five. They’ll need more bite up front and consistency at the back in remaining games to edge out competition for that prized Champions League spot.
Selhurst Park was lively, despite the spring drizzle, with fans flickering between anticipation for the cup final and anxiety about holding onto league status. But by the end, Palace’s focus was clear: don’t limp into the most important match in years. And if Eze keeps dispatching penalties like this and the defense stands firm, Palace go into their Wembley date looking as well-drilled and hopeful as they’ve been all season.
