Online Reporter
A second-string Nottingham Forest side took a major step towards Premier League survival by inflicting Chelsea’s sixth consecutive league defeat.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira, who is believed to be pushing for Zimbabwean international Marshal Munetsi signature if they survive, made eight changes with Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa in mind.
But two goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and another from Igor Jesus helped the visitors open a six-point gap over 18th placed West Ham in the relegation zone.
Chelsea, meanwhile, scored a late consolation goal through striker Joao Pedro, narrowly avoiding an unwanted record of making it six league games in a row without scoring for the first time in the club’s history.
Forest remain 16th but have significantly strengthened their survival prospects, giving hope that Munetsi could end up joining his former coach if they survive.
Munetsi is still in the books of relagated Wolves, but on loan at Ligue 1 side Paris FC.
Yesterday Chelsea stayed ninth and 10 points adrift of the Champions League places — a target set at the start of the season.
Their dismal afternoon was summed up when Cole Palmer missed a first-half penalty after academy winger Jesse Derry, 18, suffered a serious-looking head injury on his first senior start.
It was Chelsea’s first Premier League match since Liam Rosenior was sacked, with interim head coach Calum McFarlane – who guided the club to a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win against Leeds United last week — taking charge for the first time at Stamford Bridge.
Forest needed just two minutes to take the lead, with Awoniyi left unmarked to head home after winger Dilane Bakwa beat Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella and delivered a nicely floated cross.
The same Forest pairing combined again in the 15th minute to win a penalty. Awoniyi was pulled back in the area by Malo Gusto as he attempted to reach Bakwa’s cross, and Igor Jesus converted the resulting spot-kick straight down the middle. It came after a video assistant referee (VAR) check, with Gusto pos-sibly lucky to have avoided a red card. — BBC Sport/ Zimpapers Sports Hub.
