What the papers say: Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Two late goals saw Chelsea defeat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at the City Ground, with the hosts almost safe this season after other results went their way. Here’s what the national newspapers had to say

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The Guardian

A points deduction, the owner leaving the stands to remonstrate with the referee, that post on X and even a cameo from Gladiators’ very own Mark Clattenburg. Nottingham Forest is the most entertaining show in town and they are – almost certainly – coming back for another compelling season hosted by the Premier League.

The latest episode was a five‑goal thriller. Needing only a point to confirm their top-flight status, Forest were set to earn all three until Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson changed the direction of the match in Chelsea’s favour to earn a third straight win, to slightly dampen spirits on the banks of the Trent.

Forest would need to lose on the final day at relegated Burnley and Luton defeat Fulham, with the minor issue of a 12-goal swing required to help the Hatters leapfrog to safety. There is, frankly, next to no chance of that happening. There was a degree of deflation at the final whistle inside the City Ground but they know the job is as good as done. Home fans crowded around televisions to learn the fate of their rivals before kick-off. Defeats for Burnley and Luton turned what had been a nervous afternoon into a carnival.

The Times

The introduction of two England internationals who have been in the wars recently swung this thrilling game finally in Chelsea’s favour, as the late run by Mauricio Pochettino’s side to qualify for European football gained further momentum.

Chelsea had taken an early lead with Mykhailo Mudryk’s first league goal away from home, but Willy Boly’s equaliser a few moments later for Nottingham Forest meant the game was beautifully poised going into the second half. And what a half that was, firstly when former Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi put Forest ahead, only for marginalised Raheem Sterling to equalise for Chelsea in the 80th minute, only a few minutes after he came on the field.

The winner for the away side came two minutes later when Reece James, on as a substitute having recovered from a hamstring injury which has kept him out since December, provided an excellent cross for Nicolas Jackson’s late headed winner.

The Telegraph

Security guards had mobilised in the front of the City Ground stands in anticipation of a pitch invasion to celebrate Premier League survival but when the final whistle came, Nottingham Forest fans stayed in their seats. They are almost there but still require one final game to secure their top-flight status.

It made for a bizarre atmosphere at the end of a thrilling game. It was party time earlier in the afternoon when Burnley and Luton were defeated meant a point would ensure the 17th-place finish coveted by those threatened by relegation. Forest were on course for victory with 10 minutes left on the clock before Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson turned the match on its head.

Defeat saw the survival fiesta turn a little flat. Players were clapped off as they went down the tunnel, they are almost safe but they still need to avoid the football miracle of a 12-goal swing that would see them overtaken by Luton next weekend. A point or narrow defeat at Burnley on Sunday will see them home.

The Independent

A thrilling comeback victory should have given Mauricio Pochettino some rare solace as he continues to get to grips with this basket case of a club but the manner of Chelsea’s success at Nottingham Forest was the perfect microcosm for their tumultuous season.

With the Forest players already planning their summer jaunts pre-match after Luton’s loss at West Ham earlier on Saturday meant they were all but relegated ahead of the final weekend, Chelsea had the perfect platform to express themselves, loosen the shackles and show what one billion pounds gets you.

With Cole Palmer at his brilliant best orchestrating things, what could go wrong? Well almost quite a lot for Chelsea. Nicolas Jackson’s winner completed a gripping Chelsea turnaround late on in an exhilarating clash, but a first away win in three months still came with plenty for Pochettino to ponder.

The Mail

Chelsea continued their late surge for European qualification with a frantic 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest, who missed the chance to confirm their Premier League survival in style.

Goals from Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson made it three successive wins for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who are now level with sixth-placed Newcastle with two games to go.

Pochettino, who has said his future at the club will be decided “in one week”, could yet lead the Blues into the Europa League or Europa Conference League, depending on Manchester United’s final league position and whether they win the FA Cup or not.

Forest had looked like sealing their top-flight status with a win after goals from Willy Boly and Callum Hudson-Odoi put them 2-1 up, but they are still all but safe from relegation.

They are three points above 18th-placed Luton and 12 goals better off with one game left, so it would take some turnaround for them to go down on the final day.

The Mirror

Nicolas Jackson’s late strike ensured Chelsea’s European aspirations remained alive while confining Nottingham Forest to another week of Premier League uncertainty, as the Blues came away 3-2 victors.

Chelsea wasted little time in breaking the deadlock at the City Ground as Cole Palmer showed his class with a well-weighted through ball to Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukraine international showed no signs of the inconsistency he has offered this term to cut into the box and finish with plenty of composure after just eight minutes.

A clumsy foul from Benoit Badiashile as Forest broke forward allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to show his set piece quality. The former Wolves ace found Willy Boly, whose header deflected off Conor Gallagher and past Djordje Petrovic to level the scores in the opening half.

Callum Hudson-Odoi proved a constant menace to his former side in the second period challenging Trevoh Chalobah and Malo Gusto on Chelsea’s right. The winger cut inside to finish well from the edge of the box to hand his side the lead. Premier League safety looked to be assured for the home side but the drama did not end there.