As Nottingham Forest traveled to Selhurst Park on Sunday, much of the attention was on Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
The experienced manager was taking control of his 400th Premier League game, and Forest were out to ruin the occasion. Despite Forest creating a number of golden chances throughout the game, the points were split.
One of those chances came to defender Murillo, who has been outstanding since breaking into the Forest team following his £13 million summer arrival. Along with Hodgson, he drew the attention of national media journalists in the Palace press box. Here’s a sampling of what they had to say.
“During the first half, Roy Hodgson, who was taking charge of his 400th Premier League match, stood on the touchline simply shaking his head.” The Crystal Palace manager had just lost another player to injury after three others, including Eberechi Eze, had been ruled out of the match against Nottingham Forest.
“However, while Steve Cooper’s visitors created the better chances and could have taken all three points had a brilliant lob from Morgan Gibbs-White not rebounded off a post, teams managed by Hodgson can always be counted on to fight.” The outcome was a second consecutive home draw and three consecutive clean sheets, albeit new problems for midfielders Jeffrey Schlupp and Jaro Riedewald, both of whom had to be substituted, did not sit well with their boss.”
“Roy Hodgson reached the 400-game mark as a Premier League manager, and in the circumstances, this point for Crystal Palace was also one to celebrate.”
“Injuries have decimated Palace, threatening to derail this historic occasion for the well-travelled, veteran manager.”
“They certainly hampered Palace’s hopes of following up their shock win at Manchester United with another three points and with Eberechi Eze among their latest victims it is no wonder they were not at their most creative.”
“After a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest settled for a point each.”
“Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White came closest in the first half, clipping the inside of the far post, while Jean-Philippe Mateta narrowly missed breaking the deadlock in the second.”
“Roy Hodgson’s 400th Premier League game in charge was marred by two more injuries to his severely-depleted side, with Jeffrey Schlupp and Jairo Riedewald forced off on either side of the interval.”
“Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo came closest as Nottingham Forest were held to a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, denying them a place in the top half of Saturday Night Football.”
“After a mesmerising run, Gibbs-White struck the post from a Murillo through-ball before the defender took matters into his own hands and pulled a strong save from Sam Johnstone before half-time.”
“Jean-Philippe Mateta was off balance when he caught Palace’s best chance after half-time and missed the target altogether from a presentable position.”
“In Roy Hodgson’s 400th Premier League game as manager, Crystal Palace settled for a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest.”
“In a game of few chances, Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White came closest of all players in the first half when his cushioned volley came back off the post.”
“Forest centre-back Murillo was denied by Sam Johnstone after a brilliant run, while Jean-Philippe Mateta dragged Palace’s best chance wide.”
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