Roy Hodgson satisfied after injury-ravaged Crystal Palace pick up point in Nottingham Forest goalless draw

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was satisfied with his side’s resilient performance in their goalless draw at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.

Forest could have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Morgan Gibbs-White latched onto an over-the-top through ball and looped an effort over Sam Johnstone, only for the ball to strike the post and bounce back into the Palace keeper’s hands.

Palace had a chance in the second half to claim all three points when Tyrick Mitchell combined with Odsonne Edouard, with the French striker finding Jean-Philippe Mateta on the edge of the box. But the former Mainz striker rolled his effort inches wide from Matt Turner’s goal.

The Eagles had several senior first-team players missing – with Joel Ward and Cheick Doucoure both absent from the starting line-up – and picked up more injuries during the course of the 90 minutes after Jeffrey Schlupp and Jairo Riedewald came off with knocks.

Forest had 16 shots, five of which were on target, but they were unable to find a way past Sam Johnstone.

“We have to judge the game and analyse the story of the game,” said Hodgson.

“There were moments when both teams were in the ascendancy and there was plenty of goalmouth action at both ends – there was some very good blocking from both teams in defensive situations.

“Losing Jeff Schlupp so early in an already wounded midfield after losing [Cheick] Doucoure yesterday was a blow we had to come over.

“Personally I’m satisfied with the point – the team was very resilient and we worked very hard.

“Those are the sort of games that are very easy to lose by a goal to nil if you start taking too many liberties and open yourself up too much with the players we had on the field.

“With the young boy Rak-Sakyi, it was his first game really, you could say – he played 45 minutes [in the EFL Cup third round defeat] at Manchester United. For him to come on and to deal with that situation against a good Forest team, I’m satisfied.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD