An otherwise brilliant season ended in frustrating fashion for Nottingham Forest as they fell 1-0 to Chelsea at the City Ground.
The result meant a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. It means they will play in the Europa Conference League next term.
The Reds went into the game knowing they needed to win to have any chance of making it into the top five. They made a positive start on the banks of the Trent, getting into some promising positions early on but without really testing Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.The goal took the wind out of Forest’s sails after what had been an encouraging first half. Despite results elsewhere going in their favour, they failed to capitalise and struggled to create any clearcut chances.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Matz Sels: A frustrating way to concede, especially as the Reds have been so solid this term. Nevertheless, will share the Golden Glove with Arsenal’s David Raya as both finished the season on 13 clean-sheets. Rating: 7/10
Ola Aina: Looked to be running on empty – not that he was alone on that front among the hosts. Certainly not at his best, but the full-back has given so much this term that it is hard to be too critical. Rating: 6/10
Nikola Milenkovic: Chelsea didn’t test the hosts a great deal, but they made the most of the opening they did get. Has still proved to be an excellent addition for the club regardless. Rating: 6/10
Opposite number Matz Sels had a relatively quiet opening half hour, too, but the visitors could easily have opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Cole Palmer’s cross was met by an unmarked Pedro Neto, but he prodded his effort over from inside the box.
Chris Wood had Forest’s best opportunity of the first half just before the break. The front man met an Ola Aina cross but didn’t make the best of contact and was unable to get his shot on target.
It was the visitors who emerged out of the blocks fired up for the second half, and they took the lead with 50 minutes on the clock. Levi Colwill was on hand at the far post to tap in after Neto had hooked the ball across goal.
Murillo: A boost to have the Brazilian available after his ankle injury against West Ham United. Tried to carry the ball forward a few times but this was generally a frustrating afternoon all round. Rating: 6/10
Neco Williams: Will be kicking himself over the header that led to Chelsea opening the scoring. Has been excellent lately, for most of the second half of the season in fact, so that was out of character for the Welshman. Rating: 6/10
Ibrahim Sangare: Outstanding. Has really shown his class during these last few games and was immense on this occasion. With a bit better luck, could be a huge player for the Reds next season. Rating: 9/10
Anthony Elanga: Had a few positive moments, particularly in the first half, but didn’t really test Chelsea’s back line as much as he would have liked. Far from being the only Forest player to put in a below par display. Rating: 6/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: If it is goodbye to the City Ground for the England international, this is not the way he would want to bow out. The Reds needed more from him on such a big day. Rating: 6/10
Nicolas Dominguez: A real shame that the Argentine’s season ended with him hobbling off after being clattered into. Had been his usual industrious self up until that point, covering plenty of ground. Rating: 8/10
Chris Wood: Couldn’t make the most of a decent chance just before the break and barely had another look-in after that. Had another glimpse right at the death but this was not the hosts’ day. Rating: 6/10
Elliot Anderson: Worked well alongside Sangare in the first half – and that is surely a partnership Forest can build on next term. Kept plugging away until the end but unable to make the difference. Rating: 7/10Subs
Callum Hudson-Odoi (for Sangare, 57mins): Never really got the opportunity to make an impact against his former club. A frustrating end to the campaign for the winger. Rating: 6/10
Ryan Yates (for Dominguez, 68mins): Battled away when he came on. Effort could not be faulted but it was quality in attack Forest were in need of after falling behind. Rating:
7/10Jota Silva (for Aina, 83mins): Not a great deal he could do when he came on. Forest were up against it by that point and time was running out. Rating: 6/10
Subs not used: Miguel, Morato, Toffolo, Sosa, Danilo, Boly.
