Crystal Palace 1-1 Forest
by Our Sports Desk

CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI salvaged a point for Nottingham Forest with a second-half equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in a contest rife with off-pitch tension.

Sunday’s visitors are set to be the direct beneficiaries of Palace’s demotion by Uefa to the Conference League, subsequently upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as the club expected to take the Europa League place.

Ismaila Sarr struck first, opening the scoring in the 37th minute at Selhurst Park — the Eagles’ first match since Eberechi Eze officially joined Arsenal — before Hudson-Odoi drew the sides level 12 minutes after the restart.

Forest came closest to walking away with all three points when Igor Jesus hit the post in stoppage time but could not convert their late chances.

There appeared to be a beefed-up security presence in south London ahead of predicted heightened tension.

Banners raised in the Holmesdale end before kick-off celebrated Palace’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories, though one lofted later (pictured) offered a more pointed criticism of Uefa and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, also the subject — alongside the European governing body and former Palace co-owner John Textor — of scattered chants.

Marinakis is also facing heat from inside his own ranks following Forest boss Nuno’s admission on Friday that his relationship with the Greek businessman had deteriorated, due in part to the arrival of global head of football Edu Gaspar.

But Nuno played down the speculation over his future in Sunday’s pre-match interview, telling Sky Sports he would “of course” want to remain in charge at Forest.