Leeds United’s key rivals Nottingham Forest were handed a huge opportunity in their Premier League survival bid.
A big twist has seen Leeds United’s key relegation-battling rivals Nottingham Forest blow a big opportunity with a further Whites boost for Friday night’s visit of Forest to Elland Road.
Fourth-bottom Forest began the weekend five points clear of the dropzone and just one point behind fifth-bottom Leeds who then suffered a 4-0 defeat from Saturday afternoon’s visit of title-chasing Arsenal to Elland Road.
United’s defeat opened the door for third-bottom West Ham who were consequently handed a chance to close in through Saturday’s teatime fixture at Chelsea but the Irons suffered a 3-2 defeat despite leading 2-0 at the break.
The losses for both Leeds and West Ham therefore handed a huge new opportunity for Forest in Sunday’s 2pm kick-off against an out-of-sorts Crystal Palace side at the City Ground.
Forest, who visit Leeds on Friday night, knew that a win would take them above and two points clear of them whilst also kicking eight points ahead of West Ham.
That appeared very likely as Morgan Gibbs-White fired Sean Dyche’s side into a fifth-minute lead with a smart finish in a crowded box following a long throw and both sides then had chances to bag the game’s second goal in an open half.
The game, though, took a dramatic huge twist in the 45th minute as Palace were awarded a penalty for a Neco Williams handball save on the line which saw the Forest player sent off.
From a corner, Jefferson Lerma’s header was heading into the top right of the net with keeper Matz Sels beaten and Williams stuck out his arm for a clear handball which led to his marching orders,
Ismaila Sarr stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly converted by stroking the ball down the middle as Sels dived to his left.
Forest boss Sean Dyche then made a double change during the break including changing his keeper as Sels was replaced by Angus Gunn in addition to Ryan Yates taking the place of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
With their man advantage, Palace dominated possession following the restart but Forest gradually began to offer a threat again too.
Palace’s dominance began to flatten out as Forest themselves pushed hard for a winner but the contest ended all square for another point on the board for Dyche’s side but not the three that they were on course for.
The red card for Williams also means the defender will now be suspended for Friday night’s clash at Elland Road in another Whites boost.
Continue Reading