Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest secured themselves a vital point this afternoon in a thrilling back and forth contest with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This makes for an interesting layout in the Premier League relegation fight.
Steve Cooper’s men prepared for a difficult away fixture against Chelsea, with fans pessimistic about securing points despite the London side’s recent struggles. Despite earning some high-profile victories at home, Forest’s away form has been short of the mark this season.
It wouldn’t take the Reds long to give their supporters some hope, however, with Taiwo Awoyini beating a scrum of players and Chelsea’s keeper Edouard Mendes to a Renan Lodi lofted ball into the box at the 13-minute mark.
Awoyini neatly nodded his effort downwards towards the vacant goal, giving Steve Cooper & Co something to smile about far sooner than anticipated.
Despite enjoying a measly 28% of the overall possession, Forest continued to maintain their lead going into the half time break. Their afternoon, however, was far from over.
Whatever Frank Lampard said to his men at half time clearly made them move it up a gear, with Raheem Sterling raining on the Nottingham Forest parade just 6 minutes into the second half.
Chelsea looked set to really ruin the afternoon for the travelling Forest as Raheem Sterling once again found the back of the net less than 10 minutes after taking his side level.
Nottingham Forest showed their true grit by going right back at Frank Lampard’s side, with Taiwo Awoyini once again providing a crucial headed finish, not 4 minutes after Sterling looked set to steal the afternoon.
The remaining half an hour or so of the game proved to be a hard-fought and gritty affair, with 4 yellow cards shown, 3 of which to Chelsea players. Steve Cooper’s men managed to drag a well earned point across the finish line, despite his side managing just 24% possession all game.
This now leaves the midlands side in that little bit more of a comfortable position, sitting in 16th place with 34 points. Everton, who welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park tomorrow afternoon, are 2 points behind with their match against City in hand.
Leeds United, who also managed to secure a point against in-form Newcastle United this afternoon, find themselves now a full 3 points behind Nottingham Forest in the first relegation spot. They have Everton above them by a single point, and Leicester City behind them by a single point, with both sides playing their match in hand tomorrow.
Meanwhile, bottom of the table Southampton lost 2-0 to Fulham at home at St Mary’s. Sadly for the Saints, this means that their 11-year stay in the Premier League is finally over, and they are officially the first team to be relegated in the 2022/2023 campaign.
