Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke linked up to cancel out Chris Wood’s second-half goal to rescue a point for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues will feel they should have done better at home, as Nottm Forest ended the game with 10-men. Chelsea will rue countless missed opportunities throughout the match too.
Palmer and Jackson spurned big chance
Chelsea should have taken the lead in the first half through Cole Palmer after he got on the end of a cut-back from Madueke. Palmer’s side-footed effort inside the area was blocked and Nicolas Jackson couldn’t steer it in either, so Forest were let off.
Chelsea did appeal for a goal as the ball hit the post after going through Matz Sels legs, but it didn’t cross the line. That was the best opportunity for the hosts before the break.
Chelsea bounced back after going behind
In the second half, it was Forest who made Chelsea pay for the missed chance, scoring just minutes after the restart through Chris Wood.
A lofted free-kick from deep found Nikola Milenkovic who headed on to Wood in the area, and the Forest striker made no mistake with his first touch. He slid to reach the ball and slotted his effort under Robert Sanchez to make it 1-0 in the 49th minute.
Milenkovic had the beating of Malo Gusto in the air, and Wood beat Moises Caicedo to the flick-on. Chelsea weren’t to be beaten in their own backyard, however.
The Blues quickly responded through with Madueke and Palmer linking up for the equaliser before the hour mark. Palmer collected the ball 25 yards out and found Madueke on the right flank. The 22-year-old cut inside and fired into the far bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Drama in the latter stages
Things would get better for Chelsea and worse for Forest after James Ward-Prowse was shown a second yellow card. The midfielder was sent off in the 78th minute for deliberate handball, giving Enzo Maresca’s men a great opportunity to win it at the death.
Palmer nearly did exactly that after working an opening in the box, but his effort was matched by Sels. Madueke found Palmer in the area and his first touch took him past Morato, but he couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.
Forest had a chance to score themselves after Neco Williams found himself through on goal, but Sanchez was equal to his effort.
Anthony Elanga backheeled to the onrushing Williams, and he bundled past Wesley Fofana to got one-on-one with Sanchez. He found the corner, but Sanchez tipped his shot around the post.
Chelsea and Forest had to settle for a point.
