Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea: Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson boost Blues’ chances of European football
Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues thought they were heading to defeat as former player Callum Hudson-Odoi curled in a lovely finish to put Forest 2-1 up with 10 minutes left – after Willy Boly cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s strike in the opening 15 minutes – but back came Chelsea with two goals out of the blue.
Raheem Sterling sparked the comeback with a strike from the edge of the box, before fellow substitute Reece James set up Nicolas Jackson to head home from close range.
There could have been more drama as both teams hit the woodwork four times in a frantic second half, while Chris Wood produced one of the misses of the season with the scores at 1-1, blazing over from two yards out.
The result moves Chelsea level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle and three points clear of Manchester United with a vastly superior goal difference. European slots could go far as down as seventh place come the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Forest remain three points above Luton in the final relegation spot with one game left – but the Hatters would need to overturn a goal difference swing of 12 on the final day, meaning Nuno Espirito Santo’s side can plan for top-flight football next season
Chelsea boosted their chances of European football next season in dramatic fashion as they scored twice in two minutes to secure a late 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest, who are still all-but safe from relegation.
