Pundits Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher both believe Nottingham Forest's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace is one point gained rather than two dropped in their hunt for a UEFA Champions League spot.
The result leaves Forest in sixth, two points behind Newcastle United and Chelsea, who play each other next weekend.
"I don't think that point is bad at all," Owen said. "If they had lost today, and were stuck on 60, three points behind Newcastle and Chelsea, then they would need results to go their way. This way it is still in their hands. I can see it being a shootout at home to Chelsea on the final day. I don't think that's a bad point at all."
"This point may be really important considering what's happening next weekend. They've [Forest] got Leicester [City] at home, a game they should win," Carragher added on Sky Sports.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
35 | +33 | 67 |
| 3 |
Man City
MCI
|
35 | +24 | 64 |
| 4 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
35 | +21 | 63 |
| 5 |
Chelsea
CHE
|
35 | +21 | 63 |
| 6 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
35 | +12 | 61 |
| 7 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
35 | +6 | 60 |
"Newcastle and Chelsea play each other. If that's a draw, they go level with them, and if one of them loses, they go above one of them. The rest have really tough games. There will be points dropped next week, no doubt about it.
"Tonight may not feel like the greatest result in the world as a Nottingham Forest fan, but if they win next week, it's a guarantee that teams will drop points."
Aina: A good point away from home
Forest defender Ola Aina viewed the result in the same way, especially in the current form his side are on having only won once in five league matches.
"I think it's a good point away from home. It's tough to come here, they're a good side. With the little speedbump we've hit recently, I think a point is a good result right now.
"It just happens. This is football. Sometimes it just doesn't go your way. It hasn't been going our way recently, but the hard work continues. We try to get three points every game, but we couldn't do that today."
Nuno: Final games will be nervous
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo also believes the race to qualify for the Champions League will be tight, nervous affairs.
"These final games are going to be like this, nervous games, tight games, everybody is fighting for something. It is up to us to react and read the moments of the game that require better decisions, and play with all this noise around us, so the boys can be settled down again.
"We have to do our job at the City Ground. We play Leicester and it's going to be tough. It's for sure all the way."
