Chelsea (A) 04/05/26

 

Chelsea   1-3   Nottingham Forest

Joao Pedro 90+3'    Awoniyi 2', 52'

                                   Jesus 15' (Pen)

 

A busy week coming up for the Reds; three games in seven days. One of those a European semi-final but up first: a trip to Stamford Bridge.

Forest have been in excellent form as of late as they are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions. This run was extended on Thursday night as Chris Wood scored a penalty to take a 1-0 into the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa. In their last league outing, they thrashed Sunderland 5-0. This means they have won three of their last four in the Premier League, scoring thirteen goals in the process. This run has lifted them further away from the relegation zone. Last Premier League match week, Chelsea lost 3-0 to Brighton, sealing the fate of Liam Rosenior. Since then, they have competed in the FA Cup semi-final against Leeds which they won 1-0 under interim boss until the end of the season, Calum McFarlane. This sets them up a tie against Manchester City. In contrast to Forest, the Blues have lost their last five league games, not scoring a single goal in this time.

The question was: would Pereira have one eye on the semi-final or would he stay focused on getting one step closer to survival? He made eight changes from the Villa game, confirming the answer that he is looking at that second leg. Usual starters such as Anderson, Gibbs-White and Milenkovic were named as substitutes. McFarlane made two changes from their trip to Wembley as eighteen-year-old, Jesse Derry, was handed his Premier League debut and Palmer returned to the XI. There were boosts to the bench as James and Colwill were back in the matchday squad after returning from injury.

Many would’ve written Forest off after seeing the line-ups, but it was the visitors who took a very early lead. Yates got Forest forward but a heavy touch from the captain seemed to give Chelsea back possession. However, he slid to poke the ball to Bakwa on the right. The winger looked to be crossing the ball in, but with a change of pace, he drove towards the byline before he did put it in. Waiting in the box was an unmarked Awoniyi whose header nestled into the back of the net. The striker had scored on his 100th appearance for the club.

Chelsea did look for a response and they nearly found one. A ball was played down the wing for Derry but it looked to be going out. The teenager chased it, managing to keep it in, finding Joao Pedro in the box in the process. With his back to goal, the Brazilian passed it back to Fernandez on the edge of the box. He tried to curl it into the bottom right corner first time but instead the effort crashed off the post.

Just a minute after the hosts almost equalised, Forest had the perfect opportunity to double their lead. On the right, Bakwa was being doubled up on but he skipped between both of them before crossing the ball to the back post, looking for Awoniyi. Awoniyi couldn’t quite get on the end of the cross due to Gusto pulling his shirt. After an on-field review, Anthony Taylor awarded Forest a penalty. Jesus stepped up to take it, finishing it calmly down the middle. The Reds have now scored their last nine penalties in the Premier League. History seemed to be on Forest’s side from this point as Chelsea have won just one of their last thirteen league games when trailing by at least two goals.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts. They seemed unable to string passes together, deliver good crosses or get any accurate shots on goal. Meanwhile, the visitors were continuing to enjoy their afternoon as Jesus forced Sanchez into a save and McAtee’s effort deflected off Morato and spun narrowly wide.

Despite Chelsea barely being in the game, they were handed a lifeline. Fernandez whipped in a corner from the right which evaded everyone in the middle before reaching Derry at the far post. He chested the ball up, ready to run onto it and get a header towards goal but Abbott came rushing in, meaning the two collided heads. The collision was at some pace, knocking Derry unconscious. After lengthy treatment, Derry was rushed to hospital on a stretcher. Due to Derry getting there first, the referee awarded Chelsea a penalty. It was Palmer VS Sels. Palmer took his run up, looking to slot it into the bottom left corner but Sels got down really well to save it with an outstretched palm.

Looking to see the game out, Pereira turned to his more reliable players in Anderson, Gibbs-White and Milenkovic. This had paid off as the Reds found a third goal not long into the second half. Gibbs-White made a run down the right channel which was found by a lovely pass from Anderson. Gibbs-White broke into the area before passing the ball across the six yard box to Awoniyi who had a simple tap in at the back post. The Nigerian had luckily managed to keep himself just onside. Gibbs-White is having the season of a lifetime; that is his 17th goal involvement this season, his best in a campaign so far. He has also contributed to a goal in his last five away matches.

The rest of the half was played at a slow pace. Forest were happy to sit compact in their shape and try to let Chelsea break them down. A key moment was another clash of heads; this time between Gibbs-White and Sanchez. The ‘keeper had rushed out at the same time Gibbs-White made a run towards goal. Both had deep cuts to their heads, forcing them both to be substituted.

Joao Pedro thought he scored with twenty minutes to play but he was offside by the tip of his foot. Chelsea continued to push for a consolation goal. Palmer had an effort from distance but Sels made a good diving save. They did finally find their goal though. In some fashion too. From the right, Gusto whipped a ball towards the back post. Cucurella was there, heading back into the six yard box. Joao Pedro chested the ball up before pulling off a brilliant overhead kick. If Forest were going to concede, I don’t think they’ll mind it was to a goal like that. Chelsea have now ended a run of 634 Premier League minutes without a goal, their longest run since 2007.

Chelsea have now lost six games in a row since 1993 whilst Forest go unbeaten in ten for the first time since 2016. The Blues sit 9th as European football looks to be slipping away from them, whilst Forest move six points clear of the drop zone.

After seeing the line-ups, I don’t think anyone expected that result! However, all the players put in a shift and got the job done. I think that is just down to the confidence and togetherness that Pereira has installed in the squad. Everyone knows their roles and what to do when they come into the side. I am so happy for Awoniyi as he fell to fourth choice striker and he’s just scored two vital goals for us. I am struggling to pick a man of the match as everyone played their part but I think Bakwa was much better than we’ve seen him and he looked ready to take people on. After being written off by Dyche, Netz came in against a tough opponent in Palmer and stood up to the challenge. The only negative from the game is that Gibbs-White’s fitness is hugely in doubt for Thursday after he’s had stitches across his forehead.

 

Chelsea: Sanchez (Jorgensen 66’); Cucurella, Tosin (Colwill 46’), Chalobah, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia (Santos 58’); Derry (Delap 45’), Fernandez, Palmer; Joao Pedro

Forest: Sels; Netz, Morato, Cunha (Milenkovic 46’), Abbott (Williams 45’); Dominguez (Anderson 46’), Yates; McAtee, Jesus (Gibbs-White 46’ (Wood 66’)), Bakwa (Hutchinson 80’); Aw