CHELSEA have dropped points against ten-man Nottingham Forest in what turned out to be a fiesty thriller at Stamford Bridge.
Chris Wood temporarily put the visitors ahead before Noni Madueke equalised eight minutes later.
And the three points were there for the taking when James Ward-Prowse saw red for a bizarre handball, but Nuno Espirito Santos’ men held on.
- RESULT: Chelsea 1-1 Forest
- Live stream/TV: Not televised in the UK
- Chelsea team: Sanchez, Cucurella, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson
- Nottingham Forest team: Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenković, Moreno, Yates, Anderson, Ward-Prowse, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood
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Match report by Andy Dillon
NONI MADUEKE saved Chelsea’s bacon as the Blues were held to a draw by 10-man Nottingham Forest.
Chris Wood’s strike gave the visitors the lead at Stamford Bridge.
And Chelsea appeared unable to break down Forest’s deep block.
But Madueke stepped up to fire home and rescue a point for the hosts…
Read the full match report here:
Player ratings
It was far from what the Chelsea players and fans would’ve hoped for out on the pitch today, and SunSport’s Jack Figg has rated the players for you to take a look at.
Noni Madueke took home the best rating, while a frustrated Chelsea star received the worst…
You can view the player ratings here…
Man of the match
Your SunSport man of the match today has got to go to Nottingham Forest keeper Matz Sels.
The strike from Noni Madueke was a tough one to stop, but aside from that he was absolutely imperious in the net for Forest.
Multiple saves to deny Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke and more rescued a point for his side, and he has been a large contributor in their impressive start to the season.
Matz Sels took the SunSport Man of the Match award at Stamford BridgeCredit: Alamy
Full-time: Match Stats
This is how the statistics saw the game at full time, in what was an electrifying and entertaining game from start to finish.
It was Chelsea who dominated the possession, but Forest who had more shots on target, with their counter attacking style proving tough for Chelsea to deal with once the Trees had the lead.
The match stats after Chelsea were held to a draw by Nottingham Forest FULL-TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
FT. It’s full time here at Stamford Bridge, and the points are shared between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
There were chances galore, but two impressive goalkeeping performances, particularly Sels of Forest prevented more goals flying in.
Not to be for Chelsea today, but it could’ve been worse for Maresca’s men…
Chelseaâs Cole Palmer was left frustrated despite picking up an assist for Chelsea’s equaliserCredit: PA Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+13. Forest’s free-kick is smashed by Murillo and deflected out for a corner.
One last chance for Forest to get their big men in the box…
Aina crosses, but Sanchez makes a HUGE save to deny Jota at the death who hit a glancing header on target.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+12. Forest are frustrating Chelsea here, as Moises Caicedo leaves a late challenge on Jota driving forwards.
There are just moments left here for either side to find a winner, and Forest have a free kick here with their big men forwards.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+11. Robert Sanchez gives the ball away too easily and Forest have another chance, with a Neco Williams volley being saved by the Chelsea stopper.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+8. Chelsea are dominating the ball here as we head into the final five minutes of added time.
Caicedo gives away a foul, which Forest will take their time over once more…
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+5. HUGE SAVE from Robert Sanchez and then by Matt Sels!
It is end-to-end here right now!
Forest get forward after a free-kick, and Neco Williams’ placed shot is saved excellently by Robert Sanchez and played out to Mudryk on the left-hand side.
The Ukrainian bursts down the left and crosses perfectly for Christopher Nkunku, only for his header to be parried away by Matt Sels.
There is a winner in this game if both teams keep going for it like this!
CHANCE! Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+3. Huge chance for Joao Felix.
Neto stands a cross up in the box for Felix, who rises brilliantly to meet it, only for it to be headed into the ground and wide of the post.
13 ADDED MINUTES: Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
90+1. A huge round of applause from the Chelsea fans as the fourth official holds up the board with 13 minutes added on.
FIGHT! Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
89. It is bedlam at the Bridge here.
It has been a feisty game throughout, but it’s all kicked off now.
Chasing the ball down, Neco Williams shoves Marc Cucurella into Enzo Maresca and sends him absolutely flying.
It all kicks off after that, with both sets of stars at each others necks.
PALMER TWICE DENIED! Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
87. That is excellent goalkeeping by Matt Sels.
Cole Palmer lashes a shot at Sels, which is palmed out only back to the Chelsea star who has a second bite of the cherry which is saved once more.
So close for Chelsea, who can smell blood at the end here.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
84. A corner whipped in by Cole Palmer is given as a free-kick as Matt Sels is wiped out coming to collect it.
Chelsea really need to start going for this if they want all three points.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
81. A host of changes here:
Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix are on in place of Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez.For Forest Callum Hudson-Odoi is replaced and given a warm reception by the Chelsea fans.
He’s replaced by Anthony Elanga, while Morato comes on for Chris Wood and Neco Williams for Alex Moreno.
RED CARD: Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
77. WARD-PROWSE SEES RED.
Chelsea look to be away on the counter here with Nicolas Jackson steaming through, before James Ward-Prowse slips and grabs the ball.
The deliberate handball sees him get a second booking and he’s dismissed.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
74. There is a lengthy break in play here as Morgan Gibbs-White hobbles off the pitch with the Chelsea and Forest players left arguing with each other.
Nicolas Jackson is among those fuming, and the Forest fans are chanting “He’s gonna cry in a minute” at the Chelsea striker.
James Ward-Prowse stands over the set-piece, and Cole Palmer is booked…
Danger.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
70. Forest come forward with pace here, and Morgan Gibbs-White finds enough space on the edge of the box to take a shot.
Malo Gusto slides in really well to block it fairly, but Gibbs-White lands awkwardly and screams out in pain.
Forest have a free-kick.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
68. Gusto plays a nice ball into the feet of Cole Palmer, who just knocks it onto Noni Madueke, who will have a go at Alex Moreno once again.
He taps it past him, but the Spanish full-back does really well to knock it out for a corner to the Blues.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
65. Chelsea are really going for this now…
Cucurella bursts down the left and crosses towards Nicolas Jackson, but the Senegalese striker can’t reach it and it’s blocked out for a corner.
CLOSE! Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
63. It’s a big chance for Chelsea, as Nicolas Jackson does really well to nick the ball for his side.
He looks to drive towards goal and get a shot off, but is knocked off balance by a Forest defender.
He keeps possession and cuts it back to Jadon Sancho, who lays it off for Noni Madueke.
Noni takes the shot once more, but this time it is blocked.
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
60. Another chance falls at the feet of Noni Madueke after some great work down the left hand side by Jadon Sancho.
The wingers combine as the latter rolls the ball across the box into the feet of Noni looking for a brace.
It bobbles before reaching his foot and his effort sails over the bar, but it’s better from Chelsea in recent moments.
GOALLLLLL! Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest
56. CHELSEA ARE LEVEL!
Noni Madueke levels the scoring!
After a good ball into the right-winger, he cuts inside on his left foot and his low driven shot finds the bottom right corner.
Great finish!
That has really lifted the home fans!
Chelsea 0-1 Nottingham Forest
53. Chelsea are looking to bounce back from that early second half goal. but it is Forest who come forwards once more here…
The ball is played into Anderson who is begging for the ball as he encroaches the box, before having his effort saved by Robert Sanchez.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
