Nottingham Forest held on for a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace to keep Champions League qualification in their own hands despite losing more ground on the top five.
Forest’s stunning season is at risk of fizzling out, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now two points outside the top five with three games to go, after claiming just four points from their last five league games.
Palace took the lead after an hour through Eberechi Eze’s penalty after the VAR sent Andy Madley to his screen to review Nicolas Dominguez’s challenge on Tyrick Mitchell in the box.
But there was a swift response from Forest as Murillo’s deft flick steered in Neco Williams’ pulled shot four minutes later.
It was set up for Forest to chase a winner, which would have brought them level on points with Chelsea and Newcastle, but it was Palace that looked most likely as Eze struck the bar and substitute Eddie Nketiah came close to scoring.
Forest lost their way after Murillo was forced off with a hamstring injury as they limped over the finish line to stay within two points of fifth-placed Chelsea, who they face at home on the final day in a potential Champions League decider.
Palace suffered an injury blow of their own in their second half, with midfielder Adam Wharton taken off shortly after their opener, which will be a concern ahead of the FA Cup final against Man City later this month.
Forest have a good chance to return to winning ways on Sunday at home against already-relegated Leicester, live on Sky Sports, with one of Chelsea or Newcastle guaranteed to drop points when they play on the same day.
Nuno is expecting Champions League qualification to go down to the wire. “There’s nobody that doubts, it’s for sure going all the way,” he told Sky Sports after the game. “We have to do our job against Leicester. It will be tough.”
Watch the key moments
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Eberechi Eze put the home side in front, after VAR’s intervention led to a penalty
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Eze’s strike came agonisingly close to winning it for Palace
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Murillo levelled the score for the visitors at Selhurst Park
Forest still control their own destiny
Forest were frontrunners for Champions League qualification outside the top two at the start of April, sitting in third and 10 points clear of sixth after beating Manchester United 1-0.
But this season’s surprise package, who were not safe from relegation until the final day of the previous campaign, find themselves on a worrying run that puts their dream of returning to Europe’s prestige competition at serious risk after 44 years away.
Last month’s FA Cup semi-final against Man City perhaps took some focus away from the league, with back-to-back losses to Aston Villa and Everton in the lead up, and there seems to be a hangover after the deflating nature of that defeat at Wembley.
Forest weren’t themselves when beaten by Brentford on Thursday and, although this was an improvement, are still struggling to find form. With three losses and a draw in their last five league games, Forest are in danger of undoing all their hard work.
There is room for optimism though, with favourable games against already-relegated Leicester and a struggling West Ham next, before they host Chelsea on the final day of the season in a match that could become a one-off decider for Champions League football.
Forest’s form is a concern, but their only win during this worrying slide has come at Tottenham, who are occupying a similar position in the table to Nuno’s side’s next two opponents. On paper, that is six points they would expect to pick up.
Looking at Chelsea and Newcastle’s run-in, with at least one of them guaranteed to drop points when they play next Sunday, there is a real chance that Forest could be bailed out by the two teams above them dropping points.
Forest, of course, would also have to return to winning ways and take care of business over the next two games before taking on Chelsea.
Nuno expecting top-five race to go down to the wire
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo to Sky Sports
“We reacted well from the previous performance and we reacted well from the blow of the penalty of Palace. We scored immediately, it’s positive for us.
“In the first half, we were in control of the game. We created and dominated and didn’t allow Palace to counter-attack or have possession.
“The second half was different. It was a good reaction, but in the end, the talented players Palace have caused problems.
“They have a very organised shape and with the three players in front, they are dangerous if they have the space.
“We have to do our job at the City Ground against Leicester. It will be tough. There’s nobody that doubts, [the Champions League race] is for sure going all the way!”
Eze: We thought we would win it at the end
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze to Sky Sports:
“I thought it [his late chance off the crossbar] was going in. We had quite a few chances as well to win it.
“We thought we were going to take it in the end, but we’ll take a point. We’re positive, we put in a good performance today.
“We had a bit of time off [after the FA Cup semi-final]. The boys showed good character to come back after such a high-emotion game. To put a performance in like this today was important for us.
“The way I take pens is how I take them. I’m always practising and learning how to improve.
“I probably had to put a bit more on it this time. I saw that he was still standing when I stopped so I had to put enough power if it was going to go in.
“Each pen is different. ‘Keepers try different techniques to save it so I’m always adapting, trying to learn and understand how to improve the penalty.
“I’ve found what works for me so I’ll keep doing it as long as I’m practising.”