Nott'm Forest 2 Chelsea 3
Having seen Luton Town lose earlier in the day, Nott’m Forest went into the late kick-off knowing that they only needed a point to guarantee their safety. Chelsea were the visitors to the City Ground, who were on their best run of form since Mauricio Pochettino had taken over at Stamford Bridge.
Boly played a great ball over the Chelsea defence early on to find the run of Wood. He tried to lift the ball over the onrushing Petrovic but The Blues’ keeper made himself big and managed to parry his shot. Early chance for the hosts to open the scoring.
Pochettino’s side then silenced the City Ground when the impressive Palmer played an inch-perfect pass in behind the defence. Mudryk ran onto it to sweep the ball past Sels into the far corner. It was a great move by Chelsea, showing what they are capable of at times.
The visitors did not hold onto their lead for long. As Gibbs-White lifted a free kick into the box, Boly was completely unmarked at the back post to head home, with his effort clipping the inside of the post on its way into the net. Once again Chelsea showing what they were capable of, switching off.
Credit: @NFFC
Palmer turned creator once again as he played a pass through to Jackson. As the striker looked to shoot, Sels came off his line quickly to get a block to prevent him. The keeper, signed in the last transfer window, has impressed since making the switch to England.
Early on in the second half, Yates shot from outside the box and his effort clipped the outside of the post and went wide. Moments later, Hudson Odoi crossed the back post where Gibbs White headed against the post. It dropped to Wood, two yards out, and he somehow blazed it over the bar.
Palmer then swung in a free kick from out wide and Silva got a glancing header to it, only to see it come back off the post. So close to giving Chelsea the lead once again. This had turned into an entertaining match swaying from end to end.
Forest almost took the lead when ex-Chelsea winger Hudson Odoi tried his luck from the edge of the box. His shot took a slight deflection, looped up over Petrovic and struck the top of the crossbar. The woodwork was playing a big part in this game.
Gibbs White then came steaming forward and played it out wide to Hudson Odoi. He stepped inside Gusto and bent a superb shot past Petrovic and into the far corner to send the City Ground wild. He chose not to celebrate against his former club.
Sterling came off the bench and had an immediate impact. Forest stood off him as he ran into the box and bent a shot into the far corner to draw The Blues level. The home fans fell silent as the travelling Chelsea fans erupted.
Credit: @ChelseaFC
No more than two minutes later, James crossed from the byline to pick out Jackson at the far post. He headed home to turn this game on its head. The provider had just come off the bench and reintroduced himself to the first team in the best way possible.
The visitors held on for the three points and left the Forest fans having to wait until the final game until they can celebrate Premier League safety. Chelsea meanwhile have a real chance of securing European football for next season if they can keep this form going.
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