'Amazing': Nuno Espirito Santo names the two Forest players who really impressed him vs Palace last night
Today at 02:39 AM
Nottingham Forest returned from the international break with all three points in their game against Crystal Palace.
The City Ground crowd were made to wait until Monday night to see their side back in action following the international window.
However, it was a worthwhile wait with Forest returning their first victory at home of the season against a struggling Crystal Palace side.
The game was decided by a speculative Chris Wood effort from distance which proved too much for Dean Henderson to deal with.
He may have been forced to watch from the stands but there was two players who really impressed Nuno Espirito Santo on Monday evening.
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Which two players really stood out for Forest vs Palace
Coming into the game on Monday night, Forest had played three times at home but had only been able to manage two draws and a defeat against Fulham.
A game against a struggling Palace side offered the perfect opportunity for the Reds to put three points on the board, though.
And that is exactly what they did with the victory taking Forest up to eighth spot and level on points with Tottenham Hotspur.
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Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Nuno hailed striker Wood and goalkeeper Matz Sels for their displays in the win on Monday night.
“[Winning at home] it feels good, especially for the fans. They’ve been waiting for this moment. “I think it’s not only the goal Chris [Wood] gives us, also the way he works is amazing. We are delighted,” he said.
“When you’re goalkeeper is your best player on the team it says a lot. But also it says Palace is a tough team. Matz [Sels] once again kept us solid. It’s important.”
Matz Sels display vs Crystal Palace in numbers
Although Wood’s fifth goal of the season proved decisive as he kept his fine run in front of goal going, it really was Matz Sels who secured the points for the Reds.
The Belgian goalkeeper did not have a quiet night between the sticks for Forest despite coming up against a struggling Palace side.
However, Sels put in a stunning display to help keep Forest’s third clean sheet of the season.
- 7 saves
- 0.86 goals prevented
- 5 saves inside the box
- 1/1 aerial duels won
- 39 touches
- 75% pass accuracy
Despite signing Carlos Miguel in the summer, Sels has not been fazed between the sticks under Nuno having been able to cement his spot in the starting XI.
