Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest – Two teams play out goalless draw in Roy Hodgson’s 400th Premier League match

Crystal Palace could not mark Roy Hodgson’s 400th Premier League match as a manager with a win as the Eagles played out a dour goalless draw with Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park.

The hosts have been perennial slow starters this term and they failed to muster a shot on target in the first period as Steve Cooper’s team dominated.

Morgan Gibbs-White came closest for the Reds when he produced a sublime first-time volley to lob Sam Johnstone from Murrillo’s raking long pass, only to see it crash back off the post.

As has been their habit this season, The Eagles posed more threat in the second half and Jean-Philippe Mateta was a whisker away from netting an opener but the French forward drilled just wide past the hour.

Forest pressed late on but couldn’t find the goal to snare another rare away victory.

The result sees Palace nudge up to ninth with 12 points from eight matches. Forest are three points further back in 13th spot.

The Premier League will now take a breather for the international break with Forest hosting Luton Town on its resumption and Palace visiting Newcastle.

Not a classic. Both managers will take the point and hope to move on sharply. Hodgson will rue another game where he had to make changes as a result of issues that add to an already extended injury list. The veteran coach may even be quietly relieved for another international break so he gets some of his troops back for the next top-flight match.

As for Forest, their travails on the road have been well documented but this was another positive step to go with last month’s win at Chelsea. Cooper will feel they probably edged a tight affair with a number of their new recruits showing signs that they can help take the club to another level.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest). The Brazilian looks like being a very shrewd addition. The 21-year-old was dominant at the back and showcased a real range of passing too. Almost capped his display with a sensational solo winner but his mazy 40-yard dribble ended with a thumping shot that was too close to Sam Johnstone.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Johnstone 7, Mitchell 8, Guehi 8, Andersen 8, Clyne 7, Schlupp 5, Hughes 7, Mateta 6, Riedewald 6, Edouard 6, Ayew 6. Subs: Rak-Sakyi 7, Richards 5,

NOTTINGHAMFOREST: Turner 7, Aurier 7, Boly 7, Murillo 8*, Toffolo 7, Sangare 7, Mangala 7, Domiguez 7, Hudson-Odoi 6, Gibbs-White 7, Wood 6. Subs: Montiel 6, Elanga 6, Origi 5, Yates 5, Kouyaté n/a.

20’ – FOREST CHANCE! Murillo floats a sumptuous 40-yard ball in-behind for Gibbs-White who produces a deft volley on the run that lobs Johnstone but comes back off the post. So unlucky.

45+2’ – FOREST CHANCE! Murillo picks up the ball midway in the Palace half and embarks upon a mazy run that takes him into the box before Johnstone denies him a sensational solo goal by pushing away his thumping shot.

64’ – PALACE CHANCE! Mateta drills wide of Turner’s left-hand post on the stretch after being played in on goal 18 yards out.

79’ – FOREST CHANCE! Montiel catches a beauty of a volley from a cross on the left and thinks he’s scored until Andersen intervenes and deflects it over the bar with a timely intervention.

89’ – FOREST CHANCE! Johnstone pulls off a smart save to tip away Dominguez’s curler from the right edge of the box.

90+3’ – FOREST CHANCE! Johnstone blocks at Origi’s feet after Elanga’s poor touch had prevented him from latching onto Dominguez’s exquisite pass.

Roy Hodgson became just the eighth manager to take charge of 400 Premier League games.

Palace have kept clean sheets in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since April 2022.