Premier League review: Goalless draws for strugging Forest and Leeds
Both sides remain in trouble after frustrating afternoons in the Premier League
Nottingham Forest climbed back out of the Premier League relegation zone after a tense 0-0 draw with Fulham, while Leeds stay in trouble after another stalemate at Crystal Palace.
Forest were in the bottom three overnight after West Ham took a surprise point from Manchester City on Saturday evening.
They thought they had the lead when Dan Ndoye put the ball in the back of the net midway through the second half but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review.
A point moves Forest up to 17th place on 29 points – above West Ham on goal difference, with Tottenham also on 29 points in 16th place.
Tantalisingly, Forest head to Spurs next weekend.
Fulham were flat throughout and failed to have a single shot on target.
The two draws leave Leeds on 32 points – three points and three places clear of danger before Tottenham take on Liverpool later on Sunday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a golden chance to put Leeds in front in London but dragged a penalty tamely wide.
United full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson was then sent off in first-half stoppage time and the visitors held on with 10 men to take what could be a crucial point on the road.
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Forest denied win
A lack of goals at home is making Forest’s survival task increasingly difficult.
They have now found the net just twice in seven Premier League games in front of their own fans after drawing another blank.
Ndoye had a goal disallowed for offside, while a penalty award was also chalked off after the winger had strayed the wrong side of the away defence.
Boss Vitor Pereira, who is yet to taste a league victory since replacing Sean Dyche, now must decide whether to sacrifice Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second-leg tie with FC Midtjylland to prioritise next week’s humongous visit to Spurs.
Fulham still have European ambitions, but they never really threatened.
Leeds struggle on the road
Leeds are now winless in their last 12 visits to London.
With Dean Henderson missing through illness Walter Benitez made a Premier League debut in goal for Palace.
The 33-year-old Argentinian, whose last appearance was the humiliating FA Cup defeat at Macclesfield, made a nervy start and was fortunate not to step behind his own goal-line after catching a header from Calvert-Lewin.
Palace captain Will Hughes inexplicably handled a corner from Anton Stach to concede a penalty.
Calvert-Lewin stepped up and sent Benitez the wrong way, but unfortunately for Leeds he also sent the ball the wrong side of the left-hand post.
Referee Tom Bramall showed yellow cards to increasingly frustrated bosses Oliver Glasner and Daniel Farke and then sent off Gudmundsson.
Jean-Philippe Mateta returned from injury as a sub in the second half for Palace, with the French striker getting a distinctly mixed reception on his first league appearance since a failed attempt to join AC Milan in January.