The latest round of Premier League fixtures delivered another blow to Nottingham Forest’s faltering campaign and brutally halted Crystal Palace’s remarkable unbeaten run. For Forest, manager Ange Postecoglou’s position is under intense scrutiny. For Palace, what had been a source of pride has turned into a painful reset.
Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United further exposed the frailties that have dogged Postecoglou since his arrival. Bruno Guimarães opened the scoring in the 58th minute with a superb strike, and later Nick Woltemade hammered home from the penalty spot after Forest conceded a needless foul. The loss means Postecoglou is yet to win in seven matches — a start unmatched in the club’s recent history.
Forest’s struggles have been evident across all fronts. Their attack has lacked cohesion and cutting edge, while defensive lapses continue to cost them dearly. Chris Wood has failed to replicate the goal-threatening performances of last season, and keeper Matz Sels, though busy, has not been able to compensate for the structural deficiencies in front of him.
Postecoglou, ever the fighter, insists he welcomes the fight. After the match, he confirmed he would hold talks with club owner Evangelos Marinakis about the club’s direction, but dismissed calls for resignation. He framed the challenges as part of the job and insisted that he is committed to turning things around.
Yet, in the harsh spotlight of modern football, goodwill is fleeting. Supporters and pundits alike are asking tough questions. Has Postecoglou underestimated the scale of the rebuilding task at Forest? Is there sufficient patience at the club’s top? The upcoming fixtures and the international break may prove pivotal in shaping perceptions of his tenure.
Meanwhile at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run — their finest streak in recent memory — was ended in dramatic fashion. Everton staged a late comeback to win 2-1 with a 93rd-minute goal from on-loan Jack Grealish. Palace had taken the lead through Daniel Muñoz and, for much of the match, appeared in control — dominating possession, creating chances, and managing the tempo.
But Palace’s dominance was not decisive. Jean-Philippe Mateta missed at least two gilt-edged opportunities to put the game beyond reach. Defensive indecision deep in stoppage time gifted Everton a lifeline: a clearance deflected into Grealish’s path, and he made no mistake. The full toll: their unbeaten streak was over, and their resilience tested.
Manager Oliver Glasner was left to reflect on missed opportunities. He refused to blame fatigue outright — noting that Palace had come through midweek European travel — but conceded an inability to convert dominance into match-winning results was a key issue.
The end of the unbeaten run will sting, but it may also serve as a reality check. Palace now must reconcile ambition with consistency, especially as expectations grow following recent success. Their squad has proved capable of competing on multiple fronts, but the margins are fine — and the Premier League punishes inefficiency.
Taken together, these results underline how raw and unpredictable this season has become. For Forest, it’s a moment of crisis. For Palace, a test of character. The coming weeks will reveal much about leadership, squad depth, and resilience in adversity.
