Player Ratings: Taiwo Awoniyi shines as Nottingham Forest stun Chelsea

Player Ratings: Taiwo Awoniyi shines as Nottingham Forest stun Chelsea Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest Chelsea’s grim Premier League run continued at Stamford Bridge as Nottingham Forest produced a ruthless, composed and hugely significant 3-1 victory. For Forest, this was the sort of afternoon that can tilt a relegation fight. For Chelsea, it was another damaging entry in a season drifting further from its stated ambitions.

Vitor Pereira made eight changes with one eye on Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa, yet his side looked sharper, clearer and more committed from the opening whistle. Within two minutes, Taiwo Awoniyi had headed Forest in front after Dilane Bakwa beat Marc Cucurella and delivered a teasing cross into the area. Chelsea looked rattled immediately.

Forest sensed it and struck again in the 15th minute, with Malo Gusto pulling Awoniyi back as he attacked another Bakwa delivery. After a VAR check, Igor Jesus stepped up and converted the penalty straight down the middle. Gusto may consider himself fortunate that the punishment did not extend beyond the spot kick.

Chelsea Waste Their Route Back There were chances for Chelsea to regain control. Enzo Fernandez hit the post, while Jesse Derry, making his first senior start, won a penalty after a worrying head collision with Zach Abbott. The 18 year old winger was later taken to hospital, bringing a sobering edge to an already difficult afternoon.