Elliot Anderson’s versatility could prove to be a major asset for Nottingham Forest, according to head coach Nuno Espírito Santo.

Anderson was selected to replace the suspended Morgan Gibbs-White in the No.10 role during Monday night’s clash against Crystal Palace. He more than delivered, producing an outstanding performance as the Reds secured a 1-0 triumph, marking their first home victory of the season.

The three points were secured thanks to Chris Wood’s second-half strike, but the home side also had goalkeeper Matz Sels to thank for several stunning saves. The victory propelled Forest to eighth place in the Premier League table.

Nuno Espírito Santo, who was serving the first of a three-match touchline ban, watched from the stands. Below are his reflections following the final whistle.

On watching from the stands and securing the first home win of the season…

"I watched the match from the stands! It was a challenging experience, but we are overjoyed to finally deliver this moment for our fans. They have been waiting so long for it and have always shown unwavering support. We are especially pleased for them.

"It wasn't the ideal place to be (in the stands), but as a coaching staff, we had prepared in advance, ensuring we could maintain communication. It didn’t affect the players' performance at all."

On being without key players due to suspensions for Gibbs-White and James Ward-Prowse, as well as injuries to Danilo and Ibrahim Sangaré…

"We are missing several key players. Four of our midfielders were unavailable. However, the players who stepped in did a fantastic job. We are short in that area, but now they must give everything they have."

On Anderson stepping into the No.10 role…

"He is an incredibly versatile player. In terms of midfield, he can operate in the position just ahead of the two, play as a midfielder, or even out wide. This season, he has featured in several positions for us—on the left, on the right—and consistently delivered strong performances.

"He is still very young with plenty of room for development, but the talent is evident. You saw that tonight, and we are very pleased with him.

"That versatility is a huge benefit, especially for such a young player. It can only enhance his development."

On Sels' performance…

"It speaks volumes about the match when Matz is one of your best players. It shows just how tough it is to play against Palace; they are solid, compact, and leave you with no space. They are always pressing and have a great deal of attacking talent.

"The number of shots in the match reflects both teams' attacking intent. We are delighted with Matz's performance; he played a pivotal role in keeping us in the game."

On Wood scoring his 20th Premier League goal for Forest…

"It’s fantastic. We are thrilled with Chris, not just for his goals, but for all the other aspects of his play—how he links up, how he supports the team, and his contribution at set-pieces. Beyond that, his influence in the dressing room is invaluable. He’s a true leader and, as an experienced player, is a great mentor for the younger lads. We are immensely grateful for his impact."

On being eighth in the table…

"We’re delighted, but that’s not what’s important. What drives us is not our league position but our level of performance. Maintaining that is one of the hardest things to do.

"The biggest challenge always lies ahead. We want to raise the bar and sustain this level of performance.

"Before the international break, we demonstrated how we should play football. We cannot ignore the quality of our opponents; we have to work harder, cover more ground, and always have bodies in front of their players. That’s what matters. What’s crucial is the team spirit and the strong bond we have as a group, which allows us to progress as a team. I may be repeating myself, but I genuinely believe in this approach. It’s how we operate."