Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest: Blues’ Champions League hopes in tatters after sixth straight defeat

Chelsea saw their faint hopes of Champions League qualification all but vanish after a dismal 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.

Vitor Pereira made eight changes to his side, but they hit the front after just two minutes when Taiwo Awoniyi rose to head Dilane Bakwa’s cross past Robert Sanchez.

And Forest doubled their lead after just 15 minutes from the spot, Igor Jesus converting after Malo Gusto pulled back Awoniyi inside the area.

Chelsea were slow and lethargic on the ball and saw their best chance of the first half pass them by when Cole Palmer had his penalty saved by Matz Sels after debutant Jesse Derry was fouled by Zach Abbott.

And the hosts were made to pay shortly after the break when Awoniyi tapped home Gibbs-White’s cross to score Forest’s third as they took a huge step towards securing their safety in the Premier League.

Joao Pedro thought he had pulled one back with a header from close range, only for it to be rulled out by VAR for offside, but the Brazilian did get on the scoresheet in added time with a superb bicycle kick.

Relive Forest’s superb win with Metro’s LIVE matchday blog: