Nottingham and Crystal Palace drew 1–1 on 1 February 2026 (Premier League 2025-2026, Round 24). Goals – Nottingham: Morgan Gibbs-White 5'; Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr 45+2' (pen). Highest-rated player: Elliot Anderson (8.4). In 8 Premier League meetings since 2000-01, Nottingham have won 2, Crystal Palace 0 and 6 matches have been drawn.
The Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Result left the City Ground with that familiar feeling of “what might have been” for both teams, but especially for Crystal Palace. Nottingham struck early through Morgan Gibbs-White, then spent the rest of the afternoon clinging on after Neco Williams’ first-half red card handed Palace a route back into the contest. Ismaila Sarr took it, burying a penalty on the stroke of half-time to seal the Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Score at 1-1 on 1 February 2026.
In a Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Match Report shaped by VAR drama, a sending-off, and a goalkeeper change at the break, Palace controlled territory and volume while Nottingham leaned on spirit, blocks and late resistance. The Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Highlights will be remembered for Gibbs-White’s predatory finish, Sarr’s calm spot-kick, and a second half that became a test of patience against ten men.
Nottingham began with urgency and were rewarded almost immediately. After early pressure and a brief VAR check for a Crystal Palace penalty at the other end, the opening goal arrived in the fifth minute: Morgan Gibbs-White reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the area and guided a low finish into the bottom corner to ignite the home crowd.
Crystal Palace didn’t panic. Their response was measured and increasingly dangerous, funnelled through wide deliveries and set-plays. Maxence Lacroix went close with a header, Jefferson Lerma tested the defensive line with another, and Palace’s passing rhythm gradually pushed Nottingham deeper. Dean Henderson’s sharp sweeping prevented Nottingham from turning promising moments into clear-cut chances, while Palace’s midfield circulation kept the ball moving in waves.
Then came the turning point that changed the entire Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Match Overview. In first-half stoppage time, Neco Williams was shown a red card after conceding a penalty, leaving Nottingham with a mountain to climb. Ismaila Sarr stepped up and drove his spot-kick down the middle to level it at 1-1. By the interval, Nottingham had the lead on the board but the disadvantage on the pitch—and the momentum had swung decisively.
The second half began with a fresh complication for the hosts: Matz Sels couldn’t continue and Angus Gunn was introduced, while Sean Dyche also reshuffled with Ryan Yates on. From there, the pattern was clear. Crystal Palace camped in Nottingham’s half, probing with crosses from Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell, looking for the decisive touch that would turn control into the lead.
For all their possession, Palace found Nottingham stubborn in the areas that matter. Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic threw themselves into blocks, and Gunn’s positioning helped snuff out danger when low balls flashed into the six-yard box. Palace still created moments: Brennan Johnson met a by-line cross unmarked but headed wide, and there were enough deliveries to keep the home crowd holding its breath.
Nottingham, despite being down to ten, refused to become passive. Ola Aina twice threatened from inside the area, Dan Ndoye’s introduction brought a burst of running power, and the hosts even fashioned late half-chances that forced Palace defenders into last-ditch interventions. In the closing minutes, Crystal Palace tried to force the issue with one final surge, but Gunn claimed a teasing cross and the whistle confirmed a share of the points.
The Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Stats underline why Palace will feel the draw more sharply. Crystal Palace dominated possession (67% to 33%) and produced the heavier shot volume (14 to 9), with more shots on target (3 to 1) and far greater threat by expected goals.
From an xG analysis perspective, the gap was stark: Nottingham finished on 0.49 xG compared to Crystal Palace’s 1.90 xG, reflecting sustained away pressure and repeated entries into the box (28 touches in Nottingham’s area to 19). Palace also led on expected assists (0.97 xA to 0.25), suggesting the chances were being created, even if the final touch didn’t arrive.
Nottingham’s route to survival was built on defensive output and commitment: 25 clearances, strong duel success (63% of duels won), and a willingness to absorb pressure once reduced to ten men. Palace, meanwhile, earned seven corners and committed more fouls (12 to 4) as they tried to keep Nottingham pinned back and stop counter breaks.
Overall, the numbers support the eye test in this Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Analysis: Palace controlled the game state, Nottingham controlled the emotional temperature, and the Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Goals arrived in the moments of chaos rather than sustained patterns of finishing.
Angus Gunn (Nottingham). Thrown into the heat at half-time, Gunn gave Nottingham calm when they needed it most. His handling on crosses, quick reactions to cut out low passes, and late claims helped Nottingham protect a point that looked increasingly fragile as Crystal Palace poured forward.
This Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Scoreline keeps both sides moving, but in different moods. Nottingham will take pride from surviving with ten men and still carrying a threat late on—an important psychological boost in a tight Premier League run-in. Crystal Palace, however, may view it as a missed opportunity: they had the ball, the territory, and the xG to win, yet couldn’t find the second goal.
For supporters checking Nottingham match today or Crystal Palace match today, this was a draw that felt like two separate games stitched into one: Nottingham’s sharp opening and Palace’s long siege. The post-match reaction is likely to focus on Palace’s finishing and Nottingham’s resilience after the red card.
Report written automatically from the match data and commentary. xG figures are the data provider's.
xG and xGOT are the data provider's figures.
Zach Abbott, Taiwo Awoniyi, Omari Hutchinson, Lorenzo Lucca, James McAtee
Walter Benitez, Jaydee Canvot, Nathaniel Clyne, Zach Marsh, Remi Matthews, Kaden Rodney
8 meetings · goals Nottingham 7–5 Crystal Palace
Previous meetings
Last five Premier League matches, oldest to newest.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |
|
38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | −10 | 45 |
| 16 |
|
38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | −3 | 44 |
Nottingham
Crystal Palace
Nottingham vs Crystal Palace Match Commentary