Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest today as the Blues look to continue their impressive start to the season under Enzo Maresca in the Premier League. Cole Palmer’s four-goal haul inspired a dominant victory over Brighton last time out, and they return to the scene of that performance at Stamford Bridge knowing that another win would keep them fourth in the table and in close contact with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal above them.
But they face a side in Forest who have started the season well too, despite last week’s stumble at Fulham. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have the second-best defensive record in the league with only five conceded so far, and already have a big scalp on in their results after beating Liverpool. Another victory here would propel Forest into the top six.
Forest took the lead early in the second half through Chris Wood, but Noni Madueke equalized soon after.
James Ward-Prowse was sent off for Forest but Chelsea couldn’t make that advantage count as Matz Sels made some wonderful stops and Chelsea were guilty of wasting big chances.
With the point Chelsea are 14 points, while Forest are on 10 points.
Noni Madueke’s Moment
A lot of the focus at Chelsea is on Cole Palmer, and rightly so, but Noni Madueke has been superb in recent months. He has been so consistent and has four goals in six games this season, with his fine strike grabbing Chelsea a point. Madueke was Chelsea’s most dangerous player cutting in from the right and after breaking into the England setup in recent months he is on an upwards trajectory. With Felix, Nkunku, Neto, Mudryk and so many others pushing him for his place in the team, Madueke has momentum and is motivated and fired up to keep his place now he has it. Last season was a tough one for Madueke but he’s just 22 years old and is starting to develop the one thing every manager wants from his players: consistency.
Madueke’s Impact
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Madueke had a wonderful game on the right. Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were excellent too. Forest goalkeeper Sels put in an inspired display.
Up Next
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Match Details
Kick off time: 9 am ET Sunday (Oct. 6) Venue: Stamford Bridge TV Channel: Peacock Premium Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Score
Madueke 57'; Wood 50'
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Match Highlights
Forest Almost Win It in the 90th Minute
Superb header from Silva and an even better save from Sanchez. Forest thought they had won it with the final attack of the game!
Sanchez Makes Two Huge Saves
Williams clean through but denied by Sanchez. Then at the other end Sels makes two huge saves, first to stop Nkunku’s header from Mudryk’s cross and then a shot from the edge of the box. Wow. Drama.
Felix Almost Wins It for Chelsea
Oh, that is a huge chance. Neto whips in a cross for fellow sub Felix and he leaps like a salmon but nods wide of the goal. It seemed like that was destined to hit the back of the net.
Ward-Prowse Sent Off for Forest
Nottingham Forest reduced to 10 players. Ward-Prowse slips and Jackson is about to race in on goal, but the Forest midfielder falls onto the ball and handles it and picks up his second yellow card for deliberate handball. Ward-Prowse walks straight down the tunnel. Advantage Chelsea with just over 10 minutes to go.
Gibbs-White Injury
The Forest midfield went down after having a shot which was blocked by Malo Gusto. That looks like a nasty one for Gibbs-White. He’s off and Dominguez is on.
Madueke Equalizes for Chelsea
The ball is played out to Madueke and he cuts inside Alex Moreno, once again, then curls a slow shot which goes through a few legs and squeezes into the far post. We’re level at the Bridge and this should be quite the final 30 minutes.
Wood Scores for Forest
A free kick is clipped into the box, Milenkovic beats Malo Gusto in the air to nod down and Wood slides in and prods home. That was so easy for Forest. After all of that Chelsea dominance in the first half, Forest take the lead.
First Half Summary
Chelsea were on top for most of that first half but Forest had chances on the counter. Palmer and Fernandez are having a little disagreement as they walk off at half time and Chelsea are very frustrated they aren’t ahead. They have to be patient.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Preview
The Blues were beaten 2-0 against Manchester City in the opening fixture of the Premier League, but only dropped two points since, looking great on the attacking end with 15 goals in only six matches this season.
Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s superstar scored all four goals against Brighton in a 4-2 victory, a week after the Blues eased through West Ham winning 3-0 thanks to Nico Jackson’s brace, while also scoring six past Wolves at the beginning of the season.
Enzo Marseca may be new to the job, but he's already making a big impact at Chelsea. It's still early days, but the fans must be thrilled with the exciting brand of football their team is playing this season. It's been a long time since a manager has had such a strong start with the Blues.
The Tricky Trees are coming off a 1-0 loss at home against Fulham, drawing the week before against Brighton in a 2-2 thriller and shocking the world a week before that by beating Liverpool while keeping a clean sheet.
Nottingham Forrest unlike Chelsea struggled to find the net so far this season, scoring only six goals in as many games. They might lack on the offensive end, but The Garibaldis defense is on a different level this season, conceding only five goals in six games, the second-best in the Premier League after league leaders Liverpool so far this season.
Kick-off time: 9 am ET Sunday (Oct. 6) Stadium: Stamford Bridge TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Prediction
The second-best attacking side in the league against the second-best defensive side. This match-up should be really interesting, Chelsea will be looking to come out strong and score early to force Nottingham out of their defensive shell. I think Enzo Maresca’s boys should be able to do just that, catching Nottingham off guard and extending Chelsea's lead. My prediction is a thrilling 3-1 victory for Chelsea, with an early goal setting the pace, the Blues capitalizing on Forrest’s attempts for an equalizer leaving their defensive line open to extend the lead, and Wood pulling one back for Nottingham. This match is definitely one you don't want to miss out on!
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Team News
Chelsea
OUT: Reece James (thigh)
Nottingham Forest
OUT: Danilo (ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (undisclosed)
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Starting Lineups
Chelsea
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
Nottingham Forest
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
