Chelsea were left deeply frustrated by Nottingham Forest in a wild 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Forest took the lead early in the second half through Chris Wood, but Noni Madueke equalized soon after.
James Ward-Prowse was sent off for Forest but Chelsea couldn’t make that advantage count as Matz Sels made some wonderful stops and Chelsea were guilty of wasting big chances.
With the point Chelsea are 14 points, while Forest are on 10 points.
Madueke has momentum to make a difference
A lot of the focus at Chelsea is on Cole Palmer, and rightly so, but Noni Madueke has been superb in recent months. He has been so consistent and has four goals in six games this season, with his fine strike grabbing Chelsea a point against Forest. Madueke was Chelsea’s most dangerous player cutting in from the right and after breaking into the England setup in recent months he is on an upwards trajectory. With Felix, Nkunku, Neto, Mudryk and so many others pushing him for his place in the Chelsea team, Madueke has momentum and is motivated and fired up to keep his place now he has it. He will no doubt be rotated in and out of the lineup but right now Madueke has the starting spot on the right for Premier League games. Last season was a tough one for Madueke but he’s just 22 years old and is starting to develop the one thing every manager craves: consistency. The next step is continuing to grab goals and assists as his mazy runs cause so many problems for opponents and open up space for Chelsea’s other forwards with Palmer, Jackson and Sancho also playing well. But don’t sleep on Noni.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Madueke had a wonderful game on the right. Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were excellent too. Forest goalkeeper Sels put in an inspired display.
What’s next?
Chelsea head to Liverpool on Sunday, Oct. 20 for a huge challenge, while Forest host Crystal Palace a day later.
How to watch Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link, start time
Kick off time: 9 am ET Sunday (Oct. 6)
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest score: 1-1
Madueke 57'; Wood 50'
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Sanchez denies Jota Silva
Superb header from Silva and an even better save from Sanchez. Forest thought they had won it with the final attack of the game!
Huge chances for both teams!
Williams clean through but denied by Sanchez. Then at the other end Sels makes two huge saves, first to stop Nkunku’s header from Mudryk’s cross and then a shot from the edge of the box. Wow. Drama.
Neto crosses but Felix heads wide
Oh, that is a huge chance. Neto whips in a cross for fellow sub Felix and he leaps like a salmon but nods wide of the goal. It seemed like that was destined to hit the back of the net.
13 minutes of stoppage time!
Forest have another 13 minutes to hold on for what would be a big point. It’s all Chelsea now. Can they find a late winner!?
Cucrella is clipped and it’s all kicking off
Cucurella goes down with Nico Williams nearby and the players pile in. It looked like the Welshman clipped the back of Cucurella’s heels.
Caicedo’s volley blocked
A corner is whipped in, Sels struggles to punch clear and Caicedo volleys towards goal but Forest block and Sels is down injured after being caught by Aina and Colwill.
Ward-Prowse sent off for Forest
Nottingham Forest reduced to 10 players. Ward-Prowse slips and Jackson is about to race in on goal, but the Forest midfielder falls onto the ball and handles it and picks up his second yellow card for deliberate handball. Ward-Prowse walks straight down the tunnel. Advantage Chelsea with just over 10 minutes to go.
Nottingham Forest go down to 10 men after James Ward-Prowse is sent off following his second yellow card. 🟥
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 6, 2024
📺 Peacock | #CHENFO pic.twitter.com/bZJQG0lYDF
Gibbs-White is off with an injury
The Forest midfield went down after having a shot which was blocked by Malo Gusto. That looks like a nasty one for Gibbs-White. He’s off and Dominguez is on.
Sels denies Madueke
Enzo Fernandez clips a cross into the box and Madueke heads on target from eight yards out but Sels saves.
Madueke curls home after cutting inside - Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
The ball is played out to Madueke and he cuts inside Alex Moreno, once again, then curls a slow shot which goes through a few legs and squeezes into the far post. We’re level at the Bridge and this should be quite the final 30 minutes.
This game is really open now
Chelsea have a few chances on the break, but Forest are looking dangerous. Anderson has a shot on goal which Sanchez saves as Forest are getting a lot of joy down their right and cutting the ball back.
Wood prods home as Forest take a shock lead - Chelsea 0-1 Nottingham Forest
A free kick is clipped into the box, Milenkovic beats Malo Gusto in the air to nod down and Wood slides in and prods home. That was so easy for Forest. After all of that Chelsea dominance in the first half, Forest take the lead.
Half time: Chelsea 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Chelsea were on top for most of that first half but Forest had chances on the counter. Palmer and Fernandez are having a little disagreement as they walk off at half time and Chelsea are very frustrated they aren’t ahead. They have to be patient.
What a block from Colwill
Forest then go straight up the other end and Ryan Yates looks certain to score but Colwill blocks his shot superbly.
How are Chelsea not ahead!?
Murillo is caught in possession and Madueke races clear, beats Murillo and cuts the ball back. Palmer’s effort is scuffed but hits the post, then hits Sels and somehow he saves and holds on to it before it crosses the line. That seemed destined to trickle in.
It’s all Chelsea but Forest holding firm and Murillo goes close
Madueke, Palmer and Sancho are all seeing plenty of the ball but the gaps aren’t opening up and Forest look pretty solid so far. They are frustrating Chelsea. Murillo then intercepts superbly, charges forward from center back and drills a shot on goal which Sanchez saves well.
Madueke curls just over
That is a much better from Chelsea. The ball drops to Noni Madueke on the edge of the box and he curls a lovely effort inches over the bar. The England winger is starting to get on the ball more now. Chelsea are cranking through the gears and Forest can’t get hold of the ball.
Slow start at Stamford Bridge
Gibbs-White has looked lively for Forest, who are sitting deep and solid and frustrating Chelsea. Cole Palmer has yet to really get involved in this game.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Reece James (thigh)
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
OUT: Danilo (ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (undisclosed)
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest prediction
The first 10-15 minutes will tell us a lot. If Chelsea get an early goal, it’s going to be a long day for Forest because they’ll have to chase a goal themselves and the Blues will feast on the counter. There’s also a decent chance that Chelsea start slow and flat after Europa League action on Thursday… Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest.
