Nottingham Forest took a giant stride towards Premier League safety with a commanding 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, dealing a severe blow to the Blues’ dwindling Champions League ambitions.
Taiwo Awoniyi, making his 100th appearance for Forest, opened the scoring early on before Igor Jesus doubled the lead from the penalty spot. Cole Palmer compounded a forgettable first half for the hosts by missing a spot-kick deep into stoppage time.
Awoniyi struck again after the interval to put the result beyond doubt. João Pedro’s spectacular bicycle kick deep in added time proved little consolation for a dismal Chelsea side.
Now languishing in ninth, Chelsea have lost six consecutive league matches for the first time since 1993. Scoring for the first time in six league outings was their sole positive on a calamitous afternoon.
Calum McFarlane’s team sit ten points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa, with only nine points left to play for. A top-five finish secures Champions League qualification, though sixth place could suffice if Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League. Chelsea, currently four points adrift of sixth-placed Bournemouth, retain only a slender hope.
Forest’s third straight league victory lifts them six points clear of the relegation zone, with four more points likely to guarantee survival. Three games remain for each club in the battle involving fourth-bottom Tottenham and third-bottom West Ham.
Forest manager Pereira made eight changes from their previous league fixture, prioritising protection of their 1-0 Europa League semi-final first-leg lead at Aston Villa. The gamble paid off handsomely. Unbeaten in ten matches across all competitions, Pereira’s side can now focus on finishing the job against Villa to reach their first European final since 1980.
Miserable Chelsea
Even Forest’s understudies proved too strong for a lethargic Chelsea. The visitors led after just 97 seconds: Dilane Bakwa evaded Marc Cucurella to deliver a cross that Awoniyi met with a powerful six-yard header, punishing slack marking.
Enzo Fernández came within inches of an instant equaliser, his low curler striking the far post from the edge of the area. But Chelsea’s composure unravelled again when Malo Gusto needlessly conceded a 15th-minute penalty. Having initially ignored appeals, referee Anthony Taylor consulted the pitch-side monitor and awarded the spot-kick after Gusto was adjudged to have tugged Awoniyi’s shirt. Jesus stepped up to fire straight down the middle for his 16th goal of the season.
Chelsea were gifted a first-half stoppage-time penalty when teenager Jesse Derry was floored by Forest’s Zach Abbott in a nasty collision that forced the young Blue to be stretchered off with a head injury. Adding insult to injury, Palmer’s effort was superbly saved by Matz Sels as jeers rang out around Stamford Bridge.
Levi Colwill, returning from a serious knee injury for his first appearance since July, came on at half-time. Yet Forest still bagged their third in the 52nd minute: Morgan Gibbs-White picked out Awoniyi, who tapped in as Chelsea’s offside appeals fell on deaf ears.
By the time João Pedro scored his spectacular overhead kick from ten yards in added time, the stadium was virtually empty – a fitting backdrop to another calamitous afternoon for the Blues.
— AFP
