There was Neil Ruddock's blood, plenty of sweat and maybe even a few tears after Palace's epic encounter with Forest. But now both clubs could find themselves in hot water with the FA. Following Palace's penalty award, the fracas that ensued looks likely to become one of the first matters on the list of the league's new Big Brother advisory board.

Leeds and Tottenham suffered disciplinary action after a similar confrontation last season, and Alan Smith hopes a similar outcome won't occur this time. "I'll be having a word with the players because that sort of thing is not on" he said.

"I just hope common sense prevails and people don't make a big deal of it when they see that I'm not sensationalising it because I will talk to the players and deal with it myself."

Forest boss David Platt said: "When there's a problem between two players their mates come running in, usually to calm it down. I didn't see any punches thrown so I'm sure my players ran in there to calm the situation down."

Smith has to help the team get over Monday's disappointment in time for Sunday's match at West Brom, which is live on Sky. Palace have no major injury worries after Smith said Clinton Morrison and Neil Ruddock, who were "in the wars" against Forest will be fit to play.