Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

It all came down to this. On a crisp Sunday afternoon at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea stepped onto the pitch not just for three points, but with the weight of European aspirations on their shoulders. With both teams locked in a fierce battle for a Champions League berth, the atmosphere was electric, the stakes sky-high, and the drama inevitable.

⏰ Match Day Details

• Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025
• Kick-off: 16:00 (BST)
• Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham
• Referee: Anthony Taylor | VAR: Peter Bankes

🔵 Chelsea: Composure and Clinical Edge

Under the stewardship of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea arrived with quiet confidence and a slight tweak to their lineup. Pedro Neto was chosen to fill in for the suspended Nicolas Jackson, while Tosin Adarabioyo retained his place at centre-back ahead of Trevoh Chalobah. It was a side brimming with technical flair — Palmer, Sancho, Madueke — and anchored by the calm presence of Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo in midfield.

The Blues had navigated a tricky run-in with poise, securing key victories over Liverpool and Manchester United, and looked ready for one final push. Their away form may have been patchy, but with Champions League qualification in sight, the motivation was clear.

🌲 Nottingham Forest: Grit and Fight

Forest, managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, have been fierce at home and determined to upset the odds. With Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White leading the creative charge, and Chris Wood ever-present up front, this team has refused to back down. Coming off a strong away win at West Ham, they had momentum on their side.

Forest’s game plan was clear — stay compact, hit on the break, and exploit Chelsea’s high line. The City Ground roared with every tackle and surged with every counter-attack. For a club that’s clawed its way back to the top flight and now dreams of Europe, this match was more than just a fixture — it was a statement.

🔢 Final Score

Marc Cucurella’s 71st-minute strike proved the difference, capping off a performance where Chelsea controlled possession and dictated tempo. Forest came close on a couple of occasions — notably through Elanga — but Robert Sánchez stood tall in goal, securing his sixth clean sheet in ten matches.

📋 Lineups

Nottingham Forest (4-3-1-2)

Starting XI: Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Domínguez, Sangaré, Anderson; Gibbs-White (c); Wood, Elanga

Substitutes: Miguel, Morato, Hudson-Odoi, Toffolo, Jota Silva, Yates, Sosa, Danilo, Boly

Chelsea (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Sánchez; James (c), Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Neto

Substitutes: Jörgensen, Acheampong, Badiashile, Chalobah, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall, George, Guiu

📈 Match Stats Snapshot

⭐ Star Performer: Marc Cucurella

The Spanish full-back had one of his finest performances in a Chelsea shirt. Solid at the back, confident on the ball, and decisive in front of goal — his winner was a composed finish that sent the away fans into raptures. Maresca’s trust in him was handsomely repaid.

🔍 Tactical Takeaway

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea continues to evolve — patient in possession, aggressive in transitions, and defensively disciplined. The switch to use Neto as a direct outlet proved shrewd, offering width and pace that stretched Forest. Meanwhile, the midfield duo of Enzo and Caicedo quietly orchestrated proceedings with metronomic efficiency.

🎯 What’s Next?

This result could prove decisive in the top-four race. With just goal difference separating Chelsea, Villa, and Newcastle, every point matters. Forest, on the other hand, will rue missed opportunities but can hold their heads high after a robust campaign that’s seen genuine progress.

As the curtain falls on the regular season, both clubs look ahead — one with European dreams reignited, the other with a foundation laid for future success. For the neutrals and the faithful alike, this was football at its most compelling.