Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea, Premier League: Post-match reaction, ratings

With this game in effect a final, it was always likely to be a cagey affair, and after an expansive first few minutes, that would indeed be the case. Both teams were focusing on defense first, and while Forest had the advantage in possession, neither team posed too much threat.

In fact, the first 45 would finish with zero shots on target and just four shots combined, though both Pedro Neto and Christ Wood were guilty of missing one big chance each — the only chances of note created by either side.

Chelsea came out of the half-time break with just a touch more impetus, and we were almost immediately rewarded for that, with Levi Colwill tucking in a Neto ball across the six-yard box in the second phase of a corner in the 50th minute.

Following that brief bit of relative fury, we went back to the previous gameplan, with Enzo Maresca doubling down as proceedings trundled on, introducing both Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto to add more defensive intent to the team. Dewsbury-Hall would also come on for the final few minutes, leaving us with just one attacking player in Palmer.

Thankfully, we did not need any more attacking effort, and would be able to keep the home side at arm’s length. Wood had one more chance halfway through the eight minutes of added-on time, but thankfully he could not guide his shot on target.

1-0 to the good, and into the Champions League!

Carefree.

Just one change from last weekend, with Sancho coming in for Tyrique George

Lavia on at the hour-mark, switching to a 4-3-3 with Palmer up top

Gusto on for Neto for the final quarter hour as well, making it a 5-3-2, if not a 6-2-2

KDH on for the final few minutes, with Palmer in effect the only attacking player

Not a bad time to score just the third goal of your Chelsea career for Levi!

Plenty of catching practice for Sanchez in this one

With Aston Villa and Newcastle both losing, Chelsea finish fourth! Newcastle also get Champions League football by finishing ahead of Villa on goal difference. Villa will look to win yet another Europa League for Unai Emery while Forest will go to the Conference League

KTBFFH

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