Crystal Palace Fight Back to Beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace recovered from an early setback to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1, overturning Dan Ndoye’s third-minute opener with goals from Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma and Yeremy Pino. The result moved Palace into 12th place in the Premier League and provided Pierre Sage with a timely lift after a difficult start to the campaign.
Palace turned control into a first-half comeback
Forest struck almost immediately when Anan Khalaili failed to deal with a header, allowing Ndoye to race through and finish beyond Walter Benítez. Palace were unsteady early on, but their goalkeeper kept the deficit to one with a series of important saves.
As the first half developed, Palace began to dictate more of the play and found the equaliser in the 41st minute. Kamada scored from close range for his first Premier League goal, changing the direction of a match that had begun with Forest on top.
Lerma then completed the turnaround shortly before half-time, meeting a delivery with a header to put the hosts 2-1 ahead at the interval.
Key moments
- 3rd minute: Ndoye put Forest ahead after Khalaili’s headed error created the opening.
- 41st minute: Kamada levelled from inside the penalty area, registering his first league goal.
- Before half-time: Lerma headed Palace in front from a well-placed cross.
- 59th minute: Pino converted the rebound after Matz Sels had stopped Jørgen Strand Larsen’s effort.
- Late in the match: Benítez denied Chris Wood as Forest tried to find a route back.
Pino ends league drought as Forest fade
Palace carried their first-half momentum into the second period. Their third goal came when Strand Larsen’s shot was saved by Sels, only for Pino to react first and finish the loose ball in the 59th minute.
The strike ended Pino’s 19-match wait for a Premier League goal and gave Palace the margin their second-half display deserved. Forest could not create sustained pressure after falling two goals behind, while Benítez’s stop from Wood ensured there would be no late revival.
There was also a pointed response from the home crowd towards Forest manager Oliver Glasner. Supporters had welcomed their former manager ahead of kick-off, but later directed chants at him as Palace established command of the contest.
Attack offers Sage a platform
Palace have now scored at least three times in two of their past four league fixtures. That equals the number of three-goal league performances they produced across the preceding 37 matches, underlining the recent improvement in their attacking output.
The win leaves Palace on seven points from six games, with two victories, one draw and three defeats. They rise to 12th, easing some of the early pressure on Sage as his side seek to extend this attacking form.
Forest drop to 14th with five points, having recorded one win, two draws and three losses. Glasner’s immediate concern will be the defensive lapse that set the tone for Palace’s comeback and the lack of a meaningful response once the hosts took control.
Key takeaways
- Palace overcame an early Ndoye goal to claim a 3-1 home victory.
- Kamada opened his Premier League account before Lerma gave Palace a half-time lead.
- Pino’s rebound finish ended a 19-appearance league scoring drought.
- Palace are 12th on seven points, while Forest sit 14th with five.
- Forest face defensive questions after conceding three goals and losing control following their fast start.
