PLAYER RATINGS: Cole Palmer is again the star of the show for Chelsea in thrilling 3-2 win over Forest – but which Blues player was ‘largely ineffective’?
Chelsea denied Nottingham Forest the chance to celebrate mathematical safety with an exciting late turnaround to win 3-2.
Forest were 2-1 up after 80 minutes thanks to goals from Willy Bolly and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who had surpassed Mykhailo Mudryk’s early opener for Chelsea.
But goals in quick succession from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson curtailed the carnival as Forest are still not mathematically safe, despite being three points clear of Luton Town with a 12-point goal difference going into the final day.
For Chelsea, a first away win in three months takes them level with Newcastle in sixth place.
Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill brings you the player ratings from the City Ground.
Cole Palmer was again the star of the show for Chelsea, who defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrovic – 6
Nice jump to stop Chris Wood’s lob, but not to deny Willy Boly’s header or Callum Hudson-Odoi’s curler.
In reality, only his woodwork stopped Nottingham Forest from scoring more!
Trevo Chalobah – 6
Going up against two old Chelsea academy friends in Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina, he had his hands full.
Moved to center back after Gusto was introduced via a tactical switch.
Thiago Silva – 7
So close to giving Chelsea a lead with a header that bounced off the post.
Defensively, Silva is still Chelsea’s most reliable defender despite being so close to the exit.
Thiago Silva proved with a solid performance that he is still Chelsea’s most reliable defender
Marc Cucurella’s inverted role didn’t work as well as in previous performances, but Mauricio Pochettino switched it up, to his credit
Benoit Badiashile – 6
Booked for bringing down Murillo to kill a counter-attack and from that free-kick, Nottingham Forest made it 1-1. Later substituted as Chelsea tried to change the direction of this match.
Marc Cucurella – 6
The reverse role didn’t work as well as in previous outings, so Chelsea changed their tactics for the second half and to Pochettino’s credit, it worked… eventually.
Moises Caicedo – 6
When he threw the ball into the air while trying to find Madueke in first-half stoppage time, it summed up Chelsea’s first 45 minutes. Not his most impressive game, but a win is a win.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Moved further up the pitch as Cucurella moved into midfield and warned against killing a counter-attack. Was substituted and Chelsea scored twice to secure their turnaround.
Noni Madueke – 5.5
Madueke has been impressive of late, but here he was largely ineffective, often losing possession far too cheaply because he was too selfish, hence his hook before the hour mark.
Noni Madueke enjoyed good form but was largely ineffective at the City Ground
Conor Gallagher played a more advanced role as Cururella moved into midfield
Cole Palmer – 7.5
The only one who made Chelsea look dangerous for a long time. Super pass to put Mudryk up 1-0, and could have had two more assists for Jackson and Silva. Head of creativity.
Mychailo Mudryk – 6.5
Palmer had the pass and Mudryk had the gas to get to the end as he pushed the ball past Matz Sels. Yet the Chelsea winger did not have enough impact.
Nicolas Jackson – 7
Should have marked Willy Boly when he headed in the equalizer.
He made up for that mistake at the other end and headed in James’ cross for 3-2.
Nicolas Jackson was at fault for Forest’s equalizer, but headed in the winner from a Reece James cross
SUBS
Malo Gusto (for Badiashile, 58) – 6
Facing Hudson-Odoi, the former Chelsea youth player cut inside to make it 2-1.
Christopher Nkunku (for Madueke, 58) – 6.5
Great to see him back after an injury-plagued season. Will only get better with time and fitness.
Raheem Sterling (for Mudryk, 73) – 7
Chelsea got back into this by making it 2-2, while it looked like the home side were on their way to a win.
Callum Hudson-Odoi produced a stunning finish to give his team the lead against his old side
This wasn’t Chelsea’s most controlled performance, but Mauricio Pochettino got the result
Reece James (for Gallagher, 79) – N/A
He’s back and got the all-important assist inside two minutes and 52 seconds to make it 3-2.
Not used: Marcus Bettinelli, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Cesare Casadei.
MANAGER
Mauricio Pochettino – 6.5
Named to an unchanged team after their 5-0 win over West Ham. Not the most controlled performance, but all he cares about is securing the points.