Palace denied by Murillo's slice of good fortune

EZE HITS THE CROSSBAR LATE ON AS FOREST CONTINUE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PURSUIT

- By ANDY SIMS

Forest grabbed another point towards their European push as Murillo’s lucky strike secured a 1-1 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace.

Murillo might not have known much about his goal as he diverted a Neco Williams shot into the net, but it could prove vital during the run-in.

Forest's top-five bid may no longer be in their hands, but with distinctly-winnable games against Leicester and West Ham to come, all eyes could yet be on a final-day shoot-out with Chelsea for a Champions League spot.

Palace, playing their first match since beating Aston Villa to reach the FA Cup final, had taken the lead through Eberechi Eze’s penalty.

Forest, who suffered Wembley heartbreak 24 hours later against Manchester City, were without the injured Callum Hudson-Odoi who instead joined the away fans in the stand.

The Eagles dominated the early stages, with some eye-catching interplay between Eze and Adam Wharton in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Their first chance arrived when Tyrick Mitchell whipped in a cross which fellow full-back Daniel Munoz met on the volley, forcing a save from Matz Sels.

But Forest grew into the game and Elliot Anderson hit the side-netting from a deep Nicolas Dominguez cross, with Chris Wood unsuccessfully claiming he was shoved to the ground as he went for the ball.