“Nottingham Forest Secure Crucial 1-0 Victory Over Crystal Palace in Premier League Showdown at the City Ground”
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has urged Nottingham Forest to build momentum after securing their first home win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Chris Wood’s decisive second-half goal lifted Forest to eighth in the Premier League, marking their first league win at the City Ground since April. Despite Nuno serving a three-match touchline ban, and missing key players Morgan Gibbs-White and James Ward-Prowse due to suspension, Forest managed to hold off Oliver Glasner’s side with the help of crucial saves from goalkeeper Matz Sels. Nuno acknowledged it was tough watching from the stands but praised his team’s resilience.
Nuno Espirito Santo expressed his joy after Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited home victory, saying, “I saw it from up in the stands! It was difficult, but we are so happy to finally give this moment to our fans. They have been waiting so long for it and have always supported us. We are especially delighted for them.”
Reflecting on his position in the stands during the match due to his touchline ban, Nuno added, “Watching from the stands was not the best place to be. But as coaching staff, we organised beforehand so we could maintain communication.
“Despite Forest’s rise to eighth place, Nuno downplayed the significance of the table, emphasizing, “We are delighted, but it’s not what’s important. What guides us is the level of performance; sustaining it is always the challenge.”
Nuno Espirito Santo highlighted the ongoing challenges for Nottingham Forest, stating, “The big challenge is always ahead of you. We want to raise the bar and sustain that level.” He emphasized the importance of consistent performances as the key to long-term success, rather than just focusing on their current position in the league table.
Nuno Espirito Santo praised his team’s effort and spirit after the hard-fought win over Crystal Palace, reflecting on their performance before the international break. “We showed how we must play football. We cannot ignore the talent of our opponents; we have to run more than them, cover, and always have bodies in front of their players. What’s important is the spirit and bond so we can progress as a team. It is how we do things.
“Nuno also acknowledged the vital role of goalkeeper Matz Sels, saying, “It says a lot about the game when Matz is one of your best players. It shows how difficult it is to play against Palace. They are solid, compact, and don’t give you any space. We are delighted Matz did a very good job and kept us in the game.”