Evan Lloyd

Mon 4 May 2026 17:32, UK

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Nottingham Forest have taken a massive step towards Premier League safety after smashing Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Vitor Pereira’s side got off to the perfect start when Taiwo Awoniyi headed in Dilane Bakwa’s cross after just two minutes had been played.

The Nigerian caused problems throughout, and was dragged down inside the penalty box by Malo Gusto to allow Igor Jesus to score the second from the spot.

Chelsea had a penalty of their own just before the break after a nasty clash of heads between Zach Abbott and Jesse Derry, but Cole Palmer’s low effort was saved by Matz Sels.

After the break, Awoniyi added his second and Nottingham Forest’s third, with Joao Pedro’s stunning late bicycle kick proving nothing more than a consolation.

Taiwo Awoniyi bullied Chelsea amid Chris Wood question

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider last month that Nottingham Forest could sell Awoniyi this summer.

The striker’s contract expires in 2027, and he has struggled for minutes under all four managers of the Tricky Trees this season.

But he has appeared to come alive in recent weeks, and Monday’s performance was a statement to Pereira.

The striker was a nightmare for the Chelsea defenders, constantly harrying them and forcing them to follow him.

Awoniyi’s first goal was a superb header, and the struggles the home side were having in dealing with him were laid bare when Gusto dragged him down for the penalty.

His movement was rewarded again when he tapped in Morgan Gibbs-White’s ball for his second goal, and he has well and truly given his manager something to think about ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg.

James McAtee failed to make the most of his chance vs Chelsea

Starts in the Premier League have been incredibly hard to come by for James McAtee this season – Monday’s was just his second.

Ahead of Thursday’s big game, the 23-year-old would have hoped to use the chance to prove his ability to make an impact.

By no means was the midfielder poor. He was steady, and often showed for the ball when Nottingham Forest came forward.

But McAtee needed to be impressive if he was going to catch Pereira’s eye, and he was not that.

A late moment that saw the Englishman far too weak in handing Palmer a stoppage-time chance was the nail in the coffin for a disappointing performance.

Ultimately, Pereira’s reluctance to bring McAtee into the starting line-up has only been ratified by a lacklustre performance.

Nottingham Forest player ratings vs Chelsea

• Matz Sels – 8
• Zach Abbott – 4
• Jair Cunha – 6
• Morato – 5
• Luca Netz – 7
• Ryan Yates – 7
• Nicolas Dominguez – 6
• James McAtee – 3
• Igor Jesus – 7
• Dilane Bakwa – 8
• Taiwo Awoniyi – 9

Substitutes

• Nikola Milenkovic – 6
• Elliot Anderson – 7
• Morgan Gibbs-White – 7
• Neco Williams – 5
• Chris Wood – 5
• Omari Hutchinson – 5