Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea - LIVE!
Chelsea booked their return to the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, who fell heartbreakingly short in their own quest for the promised land.
Levi Colwill's goal early in the second half decided what was effectively a Premier League top-five shoot-out at the City Ground, meaning the Blues will be back in the top tier of European football again after two seasons away. They could complete a historic season in Enzo Maresca's first year in charge if they can beat Real Betis in Wednesday's Europa Conference League final, where they are aiming to become the first team to win all three UEFA competitions.
Forest had to win and hope other results went their way to get into the Champions League in just their third season back in the Premier League. Despite Newcastle and Aston Villa losing, they could not look after their own business and will play in the third-tier Europa Conference League next season.
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Around the grounds...
Nottingham Forest have to go for it at some point.
With Aston Villa down to ten men, there is real hope for the hosts.
If Forest win here and Villa drop points, it will be Nuno’s side in the Champions League next season.
HT: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
Nothing to split them at half-time.
One big chance each, but Wood and Neto both failed to hit the target.
As it stands, Chelsea will be in the Champions League next season and Forest won’t.
It’s still very, very tight though.
Malik Ouzia at the City Ground
A moment of consequence right at the end of the half? Not here, but at Old Trafford.
Emi Martinez has been sent off for Aston Villa.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
45 mins: Elanga skips past Cucurella, who drags him down.
Chelsea man does very, very well to avoid a booking, as those in the stands are keen to point out.
One minute added on.
Malik Ouzia at the City Ground
Enzo Maresca has already confirmed that Filip Jorgensen will start the Conference League final on Wednesday so this will probably be Robert Sanchez’s last appearance of the season.
He’s not doing a great deal to quell the suggestion that Chelsea need a new goalkeeper this summer.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
43 mins: Big, big chance!
Forest should be in front. Aine free on the right, he swings in a great cross.
Wood gets there before Sanchez, anything on target and it’s a goal but his volley flies just over.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
41 mins: Neither side can keep the ball, it’s all so scrappy.
Could become absolutely chaotic if one of them take the lead, considering what’s on the line.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
39 mins: Man City are currently 1-0 up at Fulham, but it’s goalless in the other matches with relevance to the top-five race.
That means Chelsea will finish fifth as it stands, with Forest seventh. It’s as you were...
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
37 mins: Both sets of players keen to go down off the ball at every opportunity.
Cucurella the latest to demand a free-kick, referee tells him to get up.
And then we have the Sanchez trademark, booting the ball straight out of play and looking sheepishly over at the touchline.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chelsea
34 mins: Ball breaks loose in midfield, Fernandez just smashes it up the pitch.
James was also on the scene and gets caught in the face in the process, so referee pauses play.
This... has not been a classic.