NOTTINGHAM — Chelsea held their nerve on the final day of the season to win 1-0 at Nottingham Forest and secure qualification to the UEFA Champions League for next season.
They were the party poopers at a raucous City Ground on the final day of what has been a brilliant season of overachievement from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Forest were still applauded off by their supporters and deservedly so as they returned to Europe for the first time in 30 years.
MORE — Watch full replay
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea started slowly but Pedro Neto missed a glorious chance to put them ahead in the first half, then Chris Wood missed an equally wonderful chance at the other end as Nottingham Forest also chased Champions League qualification hard.
But Levi Colwill’s goal early in the second half was enough to seal the win which saw Chelsea reach the Champions League after a two-season hiatus.
They finished in fourth place in the table on 69 points, while Forest finished seventh on 65 points and will now play in the Europa Conference League next season.
Chelsea’s next steps are crucial for sustained success
The Champions League is where Chelsea want to be and they’re back. What they do next is crucial in staying there. Recruitment is going to be key for Maresca’s side this summer with a new goalkeeper, center back and central forward essential to their development. With the Club World Cup coming up, they have less time to work on new deals compared to most clubs but the temporary window opens soon for business to be done. Chelsea will work fast, and furious, to upgrade this young squad. But they must also make absolutely sure the deals they are doing are the right ones. We’ve seen before that their wild approach in signing dozens of players has had mixed results but now they have to be more specific. And go big. The next transfer window is going to be crucial if they’re going to be in the Champions League and challenging for big trophies in the years to come. There will be huge relief that Chelsea are back in the Champions League and dining at Europe’s top table. Now comes the hard bit: picking the right elite players to keep them there.
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea player ratings (via FotMob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea score: 0-1
Colwill 50’
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright at the City Ground
Final thoughts as Chelsea reach the Champions League
Chelsea celebrate at full time!
Tense and tight here now
Forest know if they score soon they can make a really good finish of this. With other results going their way, this is their chance. 20 minutes to go.
Colwill has Chelsea ahead!
He taps home at the back post. Chelsea’s fans go wild!
Half time: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
Brilliant first half here. Forest have gone for it and almost took the lead just before half time. Chelsea have looked sluggish aside from the one chance Neto flicked over. This Champions League race is going down to the final 45 minutes of the season. Tense!
Wood flicks over!
Huge chance for Forest just before the break. Chris Wood flicks over at the near post! Brilliant cross from Aina. So close to an opener for Forest. They’ve played really well.
Neto flicks over!
Chelsea’s best chance of the game so far as a cross is whipped in from the right. by Palmer. Neto is unmarked six yards out but prods it over. He has to hit the target there. “That’s why they need a striker!” says someone near the press box. Hard to disagree with that…
Some great last-ditch defending from Chelsea already
Forest have started well and Gibbs-White charges into the box but Reece James makes a great tackle. Forest are going for it. Chelsea are leaving gaps. Breathless start here at the City Ground.
Taiwo Awoniyi on the pitch before kick off
After his nasty injury which required surgery, great to see Taiwo Awoniyi on the pitch before the game. The whole stadium applauded him.
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Sangare, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Elanga, Wood
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Neto
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live, stream link and start timeKick off time: 11am ET Sunday
Venue: City Ground — Nottingham
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
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