What Nottingham Forest need to do as fightback shows Champions League dream still alive

It is not over yet. Nottingham Forest are not done yet. They are still alive in this race and it would be foolish to write them off.

When Eberechi Eze had threatened to deal a killer blow to the Reds’ Champions League hopes, Murillo stuck out a boot and kept the dream alive. Monday night’s 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace might not have yielded the win Nuno Espirito Santo’s side wanted but it could yet prove to be an important point.

Even with just three games to go, there are still a few twists and turns left in the battle to secure a place among Europe’s elite. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points from the stalemate at Selhurst Park.

Gutsy display

Seven times in his post-match press conference Nuno used the word “character”. Forest had shown it in south London and they were going to need a lot of it in their final fixtures was the Portuguese’s key message.

Not for the first time, the Reds demonstrated their bottle in the capital. Going into the clash three points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and in the middle of a run of one win in their last four Premier League games, the pressure was on the visitors.

When they fell behind on the hour mark, to Eze’s spot-kick, heads could easily have dropped. After all, Forest do not have the best of track records for coming from behind in the league this season- this was only the second time they had managed to claim a result by doing so.

But just four minutes after the opener, the visitors were level again as Murillo diverted a Neco Williams strike beyond Dean Henderson. That response took guts. Likewise, the way they stood firm in the closing stages as Palace threw plenty at them.

Nuno has hinted that his players have been feeling the nerves lately as the reality of what is at stake sinks in. But fighting spirit and determination have epitomised the Reds’ season, and they were on show once again.

Midfield reshuffle

After a couple of positive cameo appearances, Ibrahim Sangare got the nod from the off this time. And he more than justified Nuno’s decision to go with him.

Not since August had the Ivory Coast international made the starting XI in the league. It is easy to forget he had started the campaign as first-choice, alongside Danilo, in the centre of the pitch before injury stopped both of them in their tracks.

Sangare made his comeback from a hamstring problem in February but forcing his way back into the line-up has not been easy. Other than a couple of FA Cup starts, he has been restricted to coming on from off the bench.

Monday night was a big opportunity for him. He certainly pressed his case to retain his spot in the remaining games, or at least suggest he can have a substantial part to play.

His partnership with the excellent Elliot Anderson worked well. Sangare brought composure and calmness to the midfield.

Nicolas Dominguez has also been an effective partner for Anderson - and is certainly better there than out wide - while Ryan Yates and Danilo are both capable of offering something different. Having stuck with the same group of players for so long, though, Nuno might well have found a way of mixing things up at a time when the Reds have been in need of something of a refresh.

Injury concerns

Callum Hudson-Odoi was watching on from the Selhurst Park stands on Monday night. A hamstring injury sustained in last Thursday’s loss to Brentford had prevented him from being on the pitch.

Forest are hopeful he will feature again before the season is over, although Nuno has already ruled him out of Sunday’s meeting with Leicester City at the City Ground. The winger hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks but the balance he brings was missed.

Nuno is clearly reluctant to start Jota Silva or Ramon Sosa - and the latter perhaps demonstrated why with a largely anonymous 25 minutes against Palace. As a result, the Reds lacked natural width.

They are finding it tough going at the top end of the pitch at the minute; the goals have dried up somewhat. Having all of their attacking talent available for the last couple of games could be huge.

It is to be hoped Murillo is OK for the final push, too, as he has also been an integral part of this season’s success. Monday night’s goalscorer was forced off with less than 10 minutes to go against Palace and seemed to be clutching his hamstring.

Nuno said the Brazilian would be assessed, although pundit Jamie Carragher was convinced it was nothing serious. “He's alright. He's laughing and joking. That's too much of a limp, that,” Carragher said on Sky Sports (via the BBC). “I can guarantee, Nottingham Forest fans, he will be fine for next week.”

Three to go

Forest remain sixth, now two points behind Chelsea and Newcastle United. It is all set up for a grandstand, and nervy, finish to the campaign.

There is no more margin for error now, for Nuno’s men. Their final-day showdown with the Blues on the banks of the Trent could prove decisive. It might all come down to that.

Of course, the Reds have a bit to do before then. Games against Leicester and West Ham United make look “easy” on paper but they certainly cannot be taken for granted.

Forest are running on empty at the minute. Nuno admitted the players are being pushed “not only physically but mentally in this big fight”.

After a disappointing result and a flat performance in the defeat to the Bees, the Reds looked more like themselves at Selhurst Park. Not quite at the level of earlier in the season, but better.

“An important point! 3 to go and all to play for,” Anderson posted on social media after the final whistle.

“It is not only character, we are going to need legs, we are going to need energy, we are going to need some luck. We are going to need all these aspects,” Nuno said.

It should not be underestimated quite how remarkable it is for Forest to be in this position. With three games to go, the dream remains alive.

What did you make of Forest's draw with Palace? Click HERE to have your say