Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League) 06.10.24

Resilience ever-present as 10-man Forest earn point against Chelsea.

It was a classic in the Capital as Forest fought tooth & nail for a point at Stamford Bridge, even when down to ten-men, as they extend their unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League.

The first half:

Forest never really looked like dominating the game from kick-off, but that was expected – Forest wanted the quick break, and have more personnel in midfield, similar to at Anfield. A good idea, which paid off in the first half.

Chelsea’s prized arsenal of over a billion pounds of players – the youngest Premier League side too – featured quality, pace & crystal clear ability – however, Forest defended excellently, with their defence impenetrable.

The home side came the closest in the half as the ball rolls onto the goal line, but Matz Sels pulls out a phenomenal effort and scoops it away, simply excellent. Forest had a good chance also as Murillo cuts out a Chelsea counter-attack, has the run, and rifles a ball at Robert Sanchez who parries the shot wide. Two good chances.

Forest didn’t need to do much, but defend, and break when possible – they did so excellently. But with that being said, the feeling that they could score was certainly present.

Productive half from Forest, more positives than negatives – once again proving a nightmare for Chelsea.

The second half:

This half started pretty much similarly, but I still felt Forest could get something. Attacks came from both wings, balls over the top, every way possible, a versatile attack.

Eventually, Forest would break the deadlock – James Ward-Prowse’s ball to Milenković is headed inwards by the big Serbian, for Chris Wood to finish it off. 15 goals in 23 games for Chris Wood, his 4th this season. Chris Wood proving that the £15m spent to secure his signature was worth every penny.

Forest didn’t look like scoring many, but one could have been enough – Forest had to stay sharp though, Chelsea were lethal in the attack. Madueke would soon get the goal he had been working hard for all game: Moreno shows him inside, and Madueke cuts in, as instructed, and slots it bottom-corner past Sels. Superb goal, and proof that Chelsea had more than enough in them to get a goal back.

Madueke’s persistence shone, he took three shots soon after, but nothing coming of it. Soon, Chelsea would get a golden chance, Ward-Prowse slipped – almost Gerrard-esc, but jumped on the ball with his hands, sacrificing his game to stop a 1v1 opportunity for the Chelsea forward – while a poor mistake, it was a “taking one for the team” moment from the midfielder. Forest now down to ten-men.

Forest had chances, so did Chelsea – but then the game went to another level…

Neco Williams tacked Cucurella, who tumbled into Chelsea head coach Maresca, and so ensued an all-out brawl. Colwill the instigator, and 6+ yellow cards later, and a slap from Nicholas Jackson on Morato (unpunished), the game was back underway. 13 minutes added time. It didn’t stop there though.

Matz Sels & Robert Sanchez earned their plaudits, as the pair saved their respective sides from conceding once more, as the game opened up, almost like a game of 3v3 basketball – end to end stuff.

Hearts in the mouths of both sets of fans, perhaps the greatest ending to a game so far this season – 10-man Forest saw off high-flying/spending Chelsea, with some of their biggest stars kept quiet. Nikola Milenković superb for Forest, and earns my Man of the Match.

A brilliant, earned draw against Chelsea – Forest will absolutely take that, and do so with a smile.

*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Chris Wood celebrates his opening goal for Forest at Chelsea.