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Nottingham Forest held firm despite being reduced to ten men and denied Chelsea all three points at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Having entered the game full of confidence off the back of five consecutive wins, the hosts found themselves frustrated throughout much of the first half, with Cole Palmer coming nearest as his close-range strike was bundled off the line.
Forest started the second half brightly and were duly rewarded for their efforts as Chris Wood fired them in front following a lofted free-kick from James Ward-Prowse.
Mail Sport’s Henry Clark was present at the ground to offer his expert assessment of both teams’ performance.
Nottingham Forest held firm to put an end to Chelsea’s streak of five consecutive victories
Chris Wood fired the visitors into the lead from close range after a tense fist-half
Noni Madueke put the Blues back on level terms but Enzo Maresca’s side couldn’t find a winner
Chelsea
Robert Sanchez 7
Not the first time he’s looked a little shaky on the ball but the Chelsea No 1 made a huge save at the end to deny Williams. Looked destined for the top corner but Sanchez was able to get across to stop the Welshman at full-stretch. Arguably made an even better one in the 13th minute of stoppage time to push Silva’s effort away to safety
Malo Gusto 5.5
Cool, calm and collected on the ball when he steps into midfield but didn’t do enough to prevent Milenkovic from making first contact with Ward-Prowse’s delivery for Forest’s goal.
Wesley Fofana 6
A commanding presence at the back – even if he didn’t have much to do – but no clean sheet to show for his efforts.
Malo Gusto was effective when stepping into midfield but could have done better as Forest took the lead
Levi Colwill once again proved solid for the hosts in the heart of the Blues’ defence
Levi Colwill 6.5
Made several key blocks for his team, most notably denying Ryan Yates on the stroke of half-time.
Marc Cucurella 5.5
Kept Hudson-Odoi quiet but wasn’t able to get forward as much as Gusto on the opposite flank.
Moises Caicedo 6
Usually the man to snuff out the danger in midfield but wasn’t able to get on the ball as much as he usually does.
Despite controlling much of the game from midfield Enzo Fernandez was left frustrated
Enzo Fernandez 6
Dictated play for the Blues but wasn’t able to influence the game as much as he would have hoped. Often found himself in a tangle and then directing his fury towards referee Chris Kavanagh, who copped an earful from the Argentinian on more than one occasion.
Noni Madueke 7
Moreno will still be untangling himself tonight such was the issues Madueke caused him. Looked dangerous every time he managed to cut in-field and was rewarded with his first goal of the season since his hat-trick on the opening day against Wolves.
Jadon Sancho was industrious down the left but could not provide the impact Chelsea needed
After coming close in the first-half Nicolas Jackson was anonymous before being subbed
Cole Palmer 6
A game ‘ice cold’ Cole never really warmed into. Little moments of magic but nowhere near as influential as he was in that famous performance against Brighton last time out in the league. Moved into outright second for the most assists in the Premier League this season by setting up Madueke’s goal.
Jadon Sancho 5.5
No rewards to show for his hard work down the left. Saw a first-half shot well saved by Sels.
Nicolas Jackson 4.5
Struck the post in the first-half but struggled to make an impact up against the physical Milenkovic and Murillo before being hooked for Nkunku.
Subs used:
Christopher Nkunku (81mins for Jackson)
Joao Felix (81mins for Fernandez)
Manager: Enzo Maresca 6
His team came unstuck against Forest’s low block. Left it late to make changes despite it being quite clear his team needed fresh ideas from the bench.
Nottingham Forest
Matz Sels 7.5
A very relieved man after he allowed Jackson’s effort to squirm through his legs before it struck the post. But made up for that by making a tremendous double save to deny Palmer before denying Nkunku and Gusto in stoppage time.
Ola Aina 6.5
An impressive performance up against the tricky Sancho. Stuck to his task diligently and barely gave the former Manchester United man a sniff.
Nikola Milenkovic 6.5
Not as accomplished on the ball as his centre back partner but made first contact with Ward-Prowse’s free-kick, nodding the ball down into the path of Wood who finished past Sanchez.
Matz Sels produced series of stoppage-time saves to keep his side in the game
Murillo 6
Some moments of brilliance from the big Brazilian but was lucky not to be punished for gifting possession away on the stroke of half-time.
Alex Moreno 4.5
A game he will want to forget. Given a torrid time by Madueke and wasn’t able to live with the Chelsea wide man’s direct running.
Industrious from the start, Ryan Yates had to work even harder when Forest were reduced to 10
Ryan Yates 6.5
Provided the bite in Forest’s midfield but still managed to get forward to support Gibbs-White and Wood when the visitors attacked.
James Ward-Prowse 5
Demonstrated his prowess from dead-ball situations yet again by setting up Wood’s goal. Took one for the team by diving on the ball to prevent a Chelsea counter-attack after losing his footing.
Elliott Anderson 6
His assuredness on the ball helped Forest to weather the storm and he showed moments of quality to set them on the front foot.
It was a return to forget for Morgan Gibbs-White as he limped off injured in the second half
Morgan Gibbs-White 5
Return to the starting lineup following suspension was ended prematurely when he limped off in the second half. Struggled to impact the game before then.
Callum Hudson-Odoi 5
A warm reception on his first return to Stamford Bridge since making the move to Forest in the summer but he was unable to make his former employers pay.
Elliot Anderson was comfortable on the ball as the visitors proved to be a consistent threat
In the right place at the right time, Chris Wood took his chance when it mattered most
Chris Wood 6
Starved of service for most of the game but took his goal well with a deft, close-range finish. Not always pretty but is so effective at what he does for the team.
Subs used:
Jota Silva (66mins for Anderson)
The game-changer for Espirito Santo at Brighton a few weeks ago but saw his late effort saved brilliantly by Sanchez.
Nicolas Dominguez (76mins for Gibbs-White)
Neco Williams (82mins for Moreno)
Anthony Elanga (82mins for Wood)
Morato (82mins for Hudson-Odoi)
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo 8
Another tactical masterclass away against a member of the ‘Big Six’. But for one lapse of concentration in the second half and his players would have been walking away with three points, just as they did at Anfield.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh 5
Attendance: 39,501
