After Nottingham Forest substitute Antony Elanga scored the game’s lone goal to give Steve Cooper’s team their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1995, Chelsea suffered their first home defeat under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Even though Chelsea had the advantage at the outset of the game, it was difficult to predict where the goals would come from. For the majority of the game, Nottingham Forest played solid defense. They scored when striker Taiwo Awoniyi stripped Moises Caicedo of the ball and fed former Manchester United forward Elanga, who put the ball in the back of the net.
Early in the second half, as Mauricio Pochettino tried to rally his squad, he was forced to take captain Ben Chilwell out of the game for the second time in as many games.
Noni Madueke entered the game after performing well in midweek and would have been disappointed to have started on the bench. Cole Palmer was also introduced, making his professional debut.
Raheem Sterling had to switch between playing on the left side and assisting in the center as a result. All game long, he was Chelsea’s lone threat. On a bright Saturday day at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea pushed for the equalizer as Cole Palmer positioned himself directly behind Nicolas Jackson.
After investing nearly £1 billion in the team over the previous three transfer windows, Mauricio Pochettino then substituted Moises Caicedo for Ian Maatsen and Malo Gusto for Mykhailo Mudryk, who had just joined the club in January.
In an effort to find an equalizer, Chelsea sped up the game, but it wasn’t successful. Nottingham Forest was a team that was content to sit back and occasionally take advantage of the counterattack, but Chelsea had never lost to them in nine meetings.
In the end, they earned their first victory against the Blues away from home in 14 attempts. Here is how we ranked each and every Chelsea player.
1. Robert Sanchez – 5
His foot work still needs a lot of work but look assured with aerial balls. Not at fault for the goal.
2. Ben Chilwell -3
Very poor and got hooked early in the second half.
3. Conor Gallagher-5
Has had a strong start to the season but not even he could rescue Chelsea.
4. Enzo Fernandez 5
Quiet start to the game and then had a shot from close range where he should have done better.
5. Malo Gusto-6
Incredible energy to be going up and down the right hand side of the pitch. A very ambitious player.
6. Nicolas Jackson-5.5
Works so hard for the team. Hard a few shots that just didn’t land. Missed a chance he should have scored.
7. Levi Colwill-5.5
Calm performance for the newly called up England international. Did not add to the attacking phase much.
8. Thiago Silva-5.5
Hard a lot on his hands with Awoniyi looking for a physical contact every time.
9. Moises Caicedo-5
The record signing had a slow start to the game. Had the ball taken off him leading up to the Forest goal.
10. Axel Disasi -6
Looked solid in the first half and hard to pin the Nottingham Forest goal on him.
11. Raheem Sterling -5.5
Frustrating afternoon for Chelsea’s main threat.
12. Cole Palmer-5
Forgettable debut
13. Noni Madueke – 4.5
Looked determined but just could not cut it
14. Mykhailo Mudryk-N/A
Another forgettable afternoon for the Ukrainian