A near second-string Nottingham Forest side took a major step towards Premier League survival by inflicting a sixth consecutive league defeat on a sorry Chelsea, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Two goals from Taiwo Awoniyi and a penalty from Igor Jesus blew the home side away on an afternoon that plunged Chelsea's season to a dispiriting new low.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira made eight changes to his starting XI with Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa in mind, but what looked like a downgrade turned into a masterstroke. The victory moved Forest six points clear of the relegation zone, while Chelsea, beaten for the sixth straight league game in their worst such run since 1912, were left to reflect on a dismal display only partially redeemed by Joao Pedro's spectacular stoppage-time overhead kick.
A Sucker Punch Inside Two Minutes
Any suggestion that Forest had switched their priorities away from the Premier League was blown out of the water after just 97 seconds. Winger Dilane Bakwa beat Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella and delivered a nicely floated cross to the back post, where Taiwo Awoniyi was left completely unmarked to head home. The marking from the Chelsea defence was non-existent.