Chelsea have sealed a return to the UEFA Champions League after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, thanks to a decisive second-half goal from Levi Colwill.
The narrow victory ensures Enzo Maresca’s side finish fourth in the Premier League, ending their two-year absence from Europe’s top competition. Meanwhile, Forest, who were chasing a top-five finish, slipped to seventh place, meaning they will settle for a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
Champions League Secured
Colwill’s 50th-minute tap-in from Pedro Neto’s assist proved to be the difference in a tense contest. Chelsea, who had faced heavy criticism for Maresca’s conservative style of play, have now won five of their last six games—proving their form and resilience when it mattered most.
Despite having one of the youngest line-ups in Premier League history (average age 24 years and 36 days), the Blues showed maturity and held their nerve under pressure.
Forest’s Near Miss
Nottingham Forest had been in the top three earlier this season, but a late slump, including four winless home games, cost them dearly. Still, their seventh-place finish marks their best league result since the 1994-95 season, a significant improvement for a team that battled relegation just a year ago.
Emotional Return for Awoniyi
The match had emotional undertones for Forest as Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi made a return to the pitch after recovering from a serious abdominal injury that left him in a coma. His presence was a major inspiration for the team and fans, who welcomed the squad with red flares and balloons.
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Chelsea Eye Silverware
With Champions League qualification secured, Chelsea now shifts focus to their UEFA Conference League final clash against Real Betis on Wednesday. A win would mark the club’s first trophy since their Club World Cup triumph in 2022 and silence critics of Maresca’s debut campaign.
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