Forest's Euro ambitions cut down

NOTTINGHAM Forest's bid to qualify for the Uefa Champions League suffered a setback as they were held to a damaging 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Monday.

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Nuno Espirito Santo's side needed a victory to keep pace with their top five rivals.

But Eberechi Eze's second-half penalty put Palace ahead and, although Murillo equalised soon afterwards, Forest left south London outside the Champions League places.

Sixth-placed Forest's attempt to appear in Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 1980/81 is now out of their hands.

They sit two points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and fourth-placed Newcastle, with third-placed Manchester City three points ahead of Forest.

Forest have three games left, with winnable fixtures against Leicester and West Ham before what could be on a final-day shootout against Chelsea.

"We were in control of the game. We created and dominated a lot. The second half was different. Good reaction but Palace created problems," Nuno said.