Nuno Espirito Santo strode across the Selhurst Park pitch and made his way over to the Nottingham Forest fans at full-time of his team’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
He applauded and gave a thumbs up. Morgan Gibbs-White urged the away end to chant even louder as, in a clear demonstration of support, they roared the Portuguese’s name.
It was a touching moment, what with everything going on. But it didn’t have the feel of a goodbye.
And amid all the talk about feuds and futures in the balance, the Reds demonstrated why it would be folly to risk disrupting what is being built at the City Ground. Once again, Forest showed the platform and foundations are there. Why rip it all up?
Forest were not perfect in the capital, but they were full of character and potential. Reds reporter Sarah Clapson takes a look at the big talking points from Sunday’s stalemate...
Nuno’s position
If there was any doubt about Nuno’s standing among Reds fans and players after a few days of speculation about his job, the response in south London spoke volumes. His name was sung loudly by the travelling contingent and his team showed they are still on board as they staged a fightback to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Rumours of Nuno’s job being under threat had first emerged on Friday morning. The man himself fanned the flames in a remarkable press conference a few hours later in which he suggested there was ‘no smoke without fire’.
The 51-year-old also admitted to a breakdown in relations with owner Evangelos Marinakis, although it has been alleged global head of football Edu is the actual source of his grievance. Since then, various names have been linked with the role.
A few days ago, it was difficult to see how Nuno could remain in post having questioned the club’s transfer business and spoken out against Marinakis. But come match day, there appeared to be the hint of an olive branch.
Nuno made clear his commitment to the club and stated talks will take place with Marinakis and Edu. He conceded he could not guarantee he would still be at the helm come the end of the transfer window - although job security is never a given at Forest - but stressed he hoped to remain in situ.
“We have to create harmony and we need it,” he said. It was an encouraging sign that there may be a way forward after all.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Transfer assessment
That Forest came away with a point from their first away game of the season was in part due to a half-time tactical tweak by the head coach. After something of a flat 45 minutes from the visitors, he instructed newcomer Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi to swap flanks.
The change worked a treat. Ndoye had been below par in the first half but responded by setting up his team-mate with a terrific Crossfield pass to cancel out Ismaila Sarr’s opener. In doing so he became the first Reds player to score or assist in both of his first two Premier League games for the club since 1998, having found the back of the net on his debut a week earlier.
Nuno had stuck with the same team from that 3-1 win over Brentford. But this time around, he had a significantly strengthened bench thanks to a flurry of recent transfer activity.
Douglas Luiz didn’t make it onto the pitch, having had limited training time with the group. However, James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson and Arnaud Kalimuendo all got minutes as substitutes and showed they have something to offer.
The squad is looking good - even more reason to stick with the status quo. But as Nuno was keen to emphasise afterwards, a few gaps remain.
He wants three more signings - a goalkeeper and two full-backs. Unlike when he hit out the slow pace of transfer activity before the first game of the season, though, this time the point was made more gently.
El CASisco
Even before the spotlight fell on Nuno, this fixture had taken on an edge. It had been dubbed El CASico, in reference to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) judgement that had condemned Palace to the Conference League and promoted Forest to the Europa League at their Premier League rivals’ expense.
Palace are not happy about being replaced by the Reds in UEFA’s second tier tournament, and they let it show on Sunday. It was a febrile atmosphere from the start at Selhurst Park.
Marinakis was the main target for the home fans, even though he was not in attendance. The Eagles are said to be facing an investigation by the Football Association over a banner unfurled during the first half which depicted the Greek businessman in none-to-flattering terms.
For Nuno, the off-field rivalry was simply additional noise for his players to shut out. He had been at pains to point out beforehand, and reiterated the stance afterwards, that the hosts being punished for falling foul of multi-club ownership rules is not Forest’s fault.
Still, the travelling fans enjoyed a bit of banter about it all. “Europa League, you’re having a laugh,” they belted out.
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
What happens next?
In a pre-match interview with Sky Sports, Nuno made clear his wish to remain in charge at the City Ground. He dismissed suggestions he has been trying to engineer his own exit as ‘absurd’.
There is ground to smooth over, though, and the Reds boss insisted talks will take place with Marinakis and Edu. The priority, however, is coming through the final week of the transfer window. Forest have some deals they need to do - both in and out.
Nevertheless, it is to be hoped all parties can find a way forward and move on. This is another exciting season Trentside - a first European adventure for three decades and a squad with great potential.
Nuno has proved himself to be an excellent manager. He has established a unity within the dressing room and a bond with the fanbase.
He was certainly in a much more upbeat mood on Sunday than he had been when opening up on his situation a few days’ earlier. “Everybody wants the best for Forest - me first. All the club wants the best for Forest,” he said. What’s best is surely to resolve any animosity and get back to what has the makings of being another memorable campaign with Nuno at the helm.
What did you make of Forest's draw with Palace? Click HERE to have your say