Monday night delivered the latest drama, as five Premier League clubs chase three Champions League places.
It was the turn of Nottingham Forest, playing away at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace playing in the FA Cup final a week on Saturday and not really anything to play for in the Premier League.
Despite their eyes understandably being primarily on the possibility of Palace winning their first ever major trophy, thankfully the first big positive was delivered just over an hour before kick-off.
Thankfully, rather than doing as Liverpool did against Chelsea and leaving out most of their star players due to nothing to play for in the league, Oliver Glasner instead selected a first choice eleven.
A poor first half followed, with few chances at either end.
Second half a different matter, as both sides pressed to win the game.
After surviving a few scares, Forest finally conceded.
Matz Sels clearly bringing down Tyrick Mitchell but somehow the on the pitch referee Andy Madley failing to give the decision, only for VAR to save him.
Eze did the same stuttering run up for the penalty as he did against Newcastle last month but thankfully this time his finish gave Sels no chance.
The joy (for Palace fans and those of us with Champions League hopes) only lasted four minutes, as a Forest corner wasn’t properly cleared and a shot was deflected home by Murillo to equalise.
Rather than build on that, Forest increasingly found themselves second best as the game moved on to its final conclusion
The away side rarely threatening the Palace penalty area, whilst Palace looked ever more likely to get the winner.
Eze hit the bar, a Nketiah goal ruled out for offside and a number of other good chances hit wide of the target as Palace should have really won.
However, as a Newcastle United fan watching from afar, despite Palace the team well on top as the game went on, my fear of Forest gaining another two points became a lot greater than the hope of them losing the one they held. So I was quite happy when Andy Madley blew his whistle what felt at least a couple of minutes early, as despite lengthy added time, there had been numerous delays.
One of those caused by Forest seeing their inspiration central defender and goalscorer on the night, Murillo, limping off. Another huge blow for Forest as it looks like he will miss the rest of the season.
Whilst obviously a Palace win would have been perfect, I think at this stage in the race for the Champions League places, any dropped points by a competitor have to be seen as a positive. Especially with Newcastle United currently holding a Champions League place, ahead of the likes of Forest and Villa on points, as well as a significant goal difference advantage on both.
This is how the Premier League table now looks on Tuesday 6 May 2025:
As you can see, only three matches each to play and Monday night’s result means Newcastle are two points ahead of Forest in sixth, three points ahead of Villa in seventh.
After five days in a row of Champions League chasing clubs in action, now a bit of a rest
Only 13 matches remain that involve the five clubs and Saturday sees the action resume.
Southampton v Man City (3pm)
Bournemouth v Villa (5.30pm)
Newcastle in Chelsea (12pm)
Forest v Leicester (2.15pm)
Villa v Spurs TBC (Spurs want the game moved due to their potential involvement in the Europa League final, no decision as yet from the Premier League, with Villa refusing to agree to a change of date)
West Ham v Forest (2.15pm)
Arsenal v Newcastle (4.30pm)
Man City v Bournemouth (8pm)
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