Chelsea secured a vital 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground to guarantee a top-five Premier League finish and with it, a return to the Champions League after two seasons away. The narrow win dashed Forest’s hopes of reaching Europe’s top competition and ensured they will instead participate in the Europa Conference League next season.
The atmosphere before kick-off was electric. A banner unfurled in the Trent End depicted a mock tourist sign reading “Destination: Europe,” reflecting the aspirations of the home side. Despite achieving their best finish in decades and qualifying for European competition for the first time since the 1995-96 season, there was a tangible sense of disappointment at the final whistle.
The emotional high point for Forest came not during the game but just before it, when striker Taiwo Awoniyi made a surprise appearance. After suffering a serious injury that required abdominal surgery and led to an induced coma following a collision with a post against Leicester, Awoniyi returned to a hero’s welcome. His presence on the pitch, even briefly, provided a poignant moment for fans and players alike.
On the pitch, however, the game offered few chances in a cagey contest with limited attacking threat from either side. Chelsea managed to seize their opportunity when it came. The decisive moment arrived when Cole Palmer’s cross was partially cleared by Murillo. Marc Cucurella retrieved the loose ball and sent it back into the area. A header from Neco Williams inadvertently set up Pedro Neto, who misfired, but Levi Colwill was well-positioned at the back post to calmly slot home. It was only Colwill’s second goal of the season but arguably his most important, sealing the three points and Champions League football.
The goal sparked frustration on the Forest bench, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo visibly upset. His team did have chances to equalize, the best falling to Chris Wood. The forward, Forest’s top scorer, had two golden opportunities. The first came late in the first half, when he volleyed over from Ola Aina’s inviting cross. The second, deep into stoppage time, was even better. A long ball from goalkeeper Matz Sels found Wood in the box. He brought it down beautifully on his thigh but, under pressure from Tosin Adarabioyo, could only lift his shot over the crossbar.
Chelsea saw out the final minutes with composure, fending off a last-ditch push from the hosts. Colwill nearly turned from hero to villain after an error allowed Forest one final opening, but the visitors held firm. It wasn’t a dominant performance, but it was a professional and efficient one hallmarks of Enzo Maresca’s growing influence on the team.
Now, Chelsea’s attention turns to their final fixture of the season a Europa Conference League final against Real Betis in Wroclaw. For Forest, despite the disappointment, their European journey is only beginning. While they missed out on the Champions League dream, they will compete on the continental stage next season, a reward for their progress and resilience.
