Chelsea strengthened their chances of qualifying for European competitions by winning 2-3 away at Nottingham Forest.
Moussa Niakate returned to the starting line-up of the Foresters for this match, replacing Anthony Elanga.
The Blues’ start has not changed compared to the 5-0 win over West Ham.
The hosts looked more aggressive at the beginning of the match, but this did not prevent the guests from opening the scoring in the seventh minute. Cole Palmer made a pass to the left edge of the penalty area, where Mikhail Mudrik slipped away from the defender and rolled the ball into the goal — 0:1.
Forest did not stop attacking after conceding a goal and equalized in the 16th minute. Morgan Gibbs-White lofted a free kick to the far corner of the goalkeeper’s box, and Willie Boly threw the ball into the net with his head — 1:1.
In the future, there was a more or less equal game. Chelsea lacked a player to complete the team’s combinations.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Forest missed a magnificent double moment. Morgan Gibbs-White hit the post with his head, and Chris Wood could not group up to finish the ball into the goal from a couple of meters.
In the 63rd minute, the Blues responded with their courtesy. Closing the free kick with his head, Thiago Silva hit the post.
Betting on counterattacks, the Foresters looked sharper, and in the 74th minute they managed to take the lead. Callum Hudson-Odoi burst into the penalty area on the left edge and struck from under Malo Gusto — 2:1.
However, in the end, Forest relaxed and was punished for it. In the 80th minute, substitute Raheem Sterling entered the penalty area from the left flank, moved past two opponents and hit the far corner of the goal — 2:2.
Two more minutes passed, and Chelsea regained the advantage in the score. Rhys James, another player who came off the bench, put Nicholas Jackson on the head at the far post — 2:3.
In the rest of the match, the hosts made a pile, but did not create any real chances. It was already too late.
Forest made a good impression with their attacking play, but conceded twice too easily in the end. Therefore, the foresters are fighting only for survival, while Chelsea is aiming to get to Europe.
Nottingham Forest — Chelsea. Match Report