Forest came closest to walking away with all three points when Igor Jesus hit the post in stoppage time.

Thomas Frank’s side entered negotiations with their Premier League rivals last Monday.

The victory also snapped a streak of five successive 1-1 Premier League draws between the sides at Selhurst Park.

Mateta grabbed the game’s only goal in the 31st minute.

Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes both hit the crossbar in the same passage of play.

Joachim Andersen and Jordan Ayew’s respective departures for Fulham and Leicester were finalised on Friday.