Crystal Palace Earns First Win as Nottingham Forest's Liam Delap Misses Crucial Chances
Oliver Glasner's return to Selhurst Park was marred by Nottingham Forest's wastefulness in front of goal, despite the visitors dominating possession and shots.
Crystal Palace secured their first victory of the season, defeating Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park. The match marked a difficult return for former Palace manager Oliver Glasner, whose side was undone by a combination of Palace's clinical finishing and Forest's inability to convert numerous scoring opportunities.
Despite Forest controlling large portions of the game and creating a high volume of chances, they failed to capitalize. The visitors registered 24 shots to Palace's 13 but only managed to score once. This profligacy proved costly, allowing Crystal Palace to secure all three points and lift some pressure from manager Pierre Sage.
Nottingham Forest's struggles in front of goal were particularly evident in the performance of Liam Delap. Signed for a reported £50 million, Delap missed two clear-cut chances in quick succession. First, he had an effort saved from close range after the ball rebounded off the crossbar, and shortly after, he headed a free header wide of the post. These misses occurred just before Palace extended their lead.
Palace took an early lead through Dan Ndoye in the third minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. However, Forest quickly equalized through Daichi Kamada. Jefferson Lerma then put Palace back in front, and Yeremy Pino sealed the victory with the third goal. Even at 3-1, Forest continued to create chances, but they could not find the back of the net again.
Glasner's reception at Selhurst Park was initially warm, with Palace fans acknowledging his past contributions. However, as the game progressed and Forest's missed opportunities mounted, the mood shifted, with chants mocking the scoreline directed at the visiting manager. The fixture also saw a continuation of animosity between the clubs, stemming from a banner displayed by Palace fans on their previous visit, which is now the subject of a lawsuit by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
For Crystal Palace, the win provides much-needed breathing room for Sage, whose side had conceded 11 goals in their opening four games. While the victory is a positive step, concerns remain about the team's defensive vulnerability, which was evident throughout the match against a wasteful Nottingham Forest side.