Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest: Awoniyi’s double ends Blues’ top-five dream
Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
The visitors took an early lead inside 98 seconds after Taiwo Awoniyi met Dilane Bakwa’s cross at the back post with a powerful header.
Chelsea almost responded right away at the other end when Joao Pedro set up Enzo Fernandez, whose strike from the edge of the area rattled the inside of the post.
In the 15th minute, Forest were awarded a penalty after Malo Gusto brought down Awoniyi in the area.
Igor Jesus stepped up for the spot-kick and converted beyond Robert Sanchez.
Moments later, Jesse Derry’s acrobatic effort sailed well over the bar as Chelsea searched for a route back into the game before Jesus struck his volley straight at Sanchez at the other end.
Derry had his sights on goal again, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Matz Sels.
In the 36th minute, the Tricky Trees were close to a third as James McAtee saw his effort deflect off Morato and nestled just wide of the post.
Moments later, the hosts appealed for two penalties after Joao Pedro and Malo Gusto went down in the area, but referee Anthony Taylor waved play on.
On the stroke of half-time, the Blues were awarded a penalty following a clash of heads between Derry and Abbott, but Cole Palmer saw his spot-kick saved by Sels.
Seven minutes into the second half, Awoniyi grabbed his second and Forest’s third, tapping in Morgan Gibbs-White’s pass from close range.
In the 73rd minute, Joao Pedro thought he had pulled one back for Chelsea after finishing off Marc Cucurella’s cross, but after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, Palmer saw his effort from distance palmed away by Sels.
Deep into stoppage-time, Joao Pedro pulled one back for the hosts after he teed himself up using his chest before finishing with an overhead kick, ending the Blues’ five-game goal drought.
The result lifts Nottingham Forest to 42 points, six points clear of the drop zone with three games remaining, while also ending Chelsea’s top-five ambitions.
