A tifo stating “we shall fight and we shall overcome” was revealed before kick-off, with Forest starting the game in the relegation zone following a points deduction that they are appealing.
The Eagles added to their woes just 11 minutes in, though, as Jefferson Lerma played a pinpoint pass to find Eberechi Eze, who slid the ball into Jean-Philippe Mateta’s path for the striker to clinically score his third goal in four PL games – matching the Frenchman’s tally for the rest of the league campaign.
Matz Sels was soon forced to scramble back and tip Eze’s floated free-kick delivery over the crossbar before the Reds went on the front foot themselves.
The hosts still struggled to create chances as Dean Henderson produced a strong punch under pressure to deal with Morgan Gibbs-Whites’ corner.
Daniel Muñoz also made some vital interventions with the hosts conjuring no more than a speculative attempt from Ibrahim Sangaré.
Having defended valiantly, the visitors had another big opportunity of their own as Adam Wharton’s exquisite pass released Eze, although Sels rushed out to deny him.
In a lively start to the second period, Eze linked up with Wharton but placed his effort wide before Henderson parried Callum Hudson-Odoi’s attempt away.
Forest had threatened to find Chris Wood in the box at times and Gibbs-White did just that on the hour mark, floating a wonderful pass to the striker who applied an equally impressive flicked header to beat Henderson.
With both sides searching for a winner, Eze was denied by Sels again after dancing his way through the Forest box and Henderson stood firm to stop Giovanni Reyna’s powerful strike.
Muñoz rose to meet Eze’s late corner delivery but his header flicked off Neco Williams and onto the post, as Forest went a sixth consecutive match winless across all competitions but at least recorded back-to-back draws to go above Luton Town and out of the PL relegation zone on goal difference.
They also made Palace’s winless run in away matches extend into its ninth match.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
