Nottingham Forest got a second-half goal from Serge Aurier to defy Raheem Sterling’s opener and deliver a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday.
Chelsea led 1-0 at the break when a Christian Pulisic cross was deflected off the cross bar and onto the waiting foot of Sterling, but Aurier showed patience and technique in cleaning up a 63rd-minute mess in Chelsea’s box to level the line.
WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs CHELSEA FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Forest very much deserved the point and might feel aggrieved to not have found a winner, but the Tricky Trees will be happy with their 14th point of the season. That’s good for 18th place, level with 17th-place West Ham.
Chelsea fails to move past 7th-place London rivals Fulham and sits eighth with its point.
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Chelsea’s playmakers defied by finishers as Forest earns its point
Raheem Sterling got his goal but will lament his lack of company on the score sheet as the wide men delivered chances but the scorers weren’t found in blue shirts.
Sterling and Christian Pulisic were joined by fullbacks Cesar Azpilicueta and Marc Cucurella in getting the ball to dangerous areas but it was a day of almosts for Kai Havertz, Mason Mount -- who was subbed early -- and later Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
USMNT star Pulisic was lively from the get-go and dribbled across his own half before surging up the right to move Chelsea forward, later delivering the cross that led to Sterling’s goal with a dart around the left edge of Forest’s back line.
Havertz had 48 touches but Willy Boly was all over him and the Forest center back was ready for the challenge at the other end when he leapt with Pulisic -- unwhistled for hands to the American’s face -- and nodded a second ball back toward Aurier after Havertz’s clearing attempt fired straight into the air.
Graham Potter might be getting reinforcements at other positions, but consistently center forward finishing -- Havertz does seem to be the best bet -- has to arrive if Chelsea wants to claim a top four spot.
Stars of the Show
Willy Boly
Marc Cucurella
Morgan Gibbs-White
Raheem Sterling
Christian Pulisic
Remo Freuler
What’s next?
Forest faces a huge Wednesday trip to fellow bottom-half struggler Southampton.
Chelsea wobbles home to face Manchester City, who will also be coming off a disappointing draw when the two meet at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Graham Potter reaction: Chelsea didn’t do enough to earn win
Raheem Sterling goal video: England star pots rebound
Serge Aurier goal video: Forest snags a point!
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 11:30am ET SundayTV Channel/Online: Stream via Peacock Premium.
Key storylines & in-form players
Orel Mangala was Forest’s stand-out player at Old Trafford, but the Tricky Trees’ danger is usually driven by Morgan Gibbs-White, Jesse Lingard, and either Emmanuel Dennis and/or Taiwo Awoniyi as a lead forward.
Chelsea’s still learning its biggest stars under Graham Potter, and USMNT winger Christian Pulisic helped Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling deliver the goods against Bournemouth. Can it be the same front three versus Forest or will Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang take someone’s place in the front three?
Nottingham Forest team news, injuries, lineup options
2️⃣ changes for The Reds
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 1, 2023
🧤 Henderson starts in goal
💫 Gibbs-White returns
Our side to face @ChelseaFC! 👊 pic.twitter.com/Ixn6gPO4gD
Chelsea team news, injuries, lineup options
Your Chelsea side today! 🔵@ParimatchGlobal | #NotChe pic.twitter.com/TSYBM5Mkz0
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 1, 2023