Nottingham Forest Climbs to Eighth with 1-0 Victory over Crystal Palace After Henderson Error

Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Monday, pushing them up to eighth place in the Premier League standings. A costly error by former Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson, now with Crystal Palace, allowed Chris Wood's second-half strike to secure the win.

Henderson, who played a pivotal role in Forest's survival in the 2022-23 season while on loan, failed to stop a low shot from Wood 25 minutes before full-time, as the ball slipped through his grasp. This moment proved decisive, leaving Palace winless this season and stuck in the relegation zone.

Despite opportunities, Crystal Palace struggled in attack. Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze both struck the woodwork, but Palace remains the lowest-scoring team in the league with just five goals from their first eight matches.

Meanwhile, Forest continues their strong start to the season, surpassing Manchester United and Newcastle United to enter the top half of the table. This result was achieved despite several key absences. Nuno Espirito Santo, serving the first of a three-match touchline ban, watched from the stands, while Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis began a five-game stadium suspension. Midfielders Morgan Gibbs-White and James Ward-Prowse were also suspended.

Chris Wood's goal added to his impressive tally, making him one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season with five goals in eight games, behind only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, and Bryan Mbeumo.

Forest's Matz Sels was also instrumental in the win, producing key saves, including a crucial tip over the bar from Jeffrey Schlupp's powerful shot. Sels also denied Eze earlier in the match, turning his effort onto the crossbar just seconds before Wood's goal.

Nketiah, who joined Palace for £30 million from Arsenal, is still searching for his first Premier League goal for the club. He came close in the first half, striking the outside of the post from long range. On the other end, Forest's Ryan Yates also hit the woodwork, but Wood's solitary strike was enough to secure the three points for the home side.

This marks Forest's third win of the season, continuing their promising form in the early stages of the campaign.