CHELSEA sealed Champions League football with a 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest.
The Blues have been absent from for two years but finally, the billion-pound boys will be back next season.
It was unlikely source Levi Colwill with the goal to give Chelsea a boost of confidence ahead of flying to Poland for Wednesday’s Conference League final against Real Betis.
Here is how ‘s Graeme Bryce rated the performances.
Robert Sanchez – 6
fans have been on Sanchez’s back lately but he was rarely tested here.
Lucky to escape unscathed when Chris Wood got to Ola Aina’s cross before him just before half-time.
Fortunately for the ‘keeper the big Forest striker lofted his shot over with Sanchez flapping at thin air.
Reece James – 7
Crunched into tackles and took no prisoners.
Moved effortlessly into midfield when required.
Played much more conservatively after as Forest pitched Callum Hudson-Odoi into the action.
Managed to keep CHO subdued which is exactly what required of him.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
The daddy of this Chelsea team at the ripe old age of 27!
But it didn’t stop the old boy from getting a real ticking off from his younger partner Colwill for carelessly gifting Morgan Gibbs-White the ball early on.
Recovered to put in a solid performance and managed to keep Wood shackled for the most part.
Levi Colwill – 9
Chelsea’s top performer – solid at the back andLETHALup front!
Produced a couple of timely tackles to win high-fives from his teammates.
And went on to celebrate his call-up with Chelsea’s crucial opener.
That was karma for the big defender who scored an own goal playing for Huddersfield in the 2022 play-off final at Wembley which saw Forest promoted to the Prem!
Marc Cucurella – 7
Was solid defensively, winning a string of headers in his own penalty area.
And slotted in comfortably to his inverted role in midfield when Chelsea were in possession.
Had a large hand in Colwill’s opener too and can be well pleased with his afternoon’s work.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Disciplined performance in Chelsea’s engine room.
Handled Elliot Anderson well and snuffed out his creative threat.
Put in a power of work to frustrate and squeeze the life out of them in midfield.
Moises Caicedo – 8
The man in the mask was handed the tough task of keeping Gibbs-White quiet which he did to great effect.
Fortunate to avoid a booking after chopping down MGW from behind early on.
But stuck to the job in hand and covered every blade of grass on the City Ground pitch to show why he is Chelsea’s Player of the Year.
Even felt confident enough to ditch the protective mask for the second half!
Noni Madueke – 7
Was easily Chelsea’s best attacking player early on when he took the game to Forest at every opportunity.
But lacked a focal point up front to supply with Neto pretty ineffective as a stand-in striker.
Moved out to the left wing in the second half but saw less of the ball as Chelsea protected their lead.
Cole Palmer – 7
Still struggling to recapture his early season form and few players will look forward to his summer hols more than the England man.
Looks like he could do with even a short break to recharge his batteries before the club world cup.
Sloppy in possession at times and hounded relentlessly by Forest’s midfielders.
But he did at least put in Chelsea’s best delivery of the first half for Neto and was one of their more creative players on a day short on overall quality.
Jadon Sancho – 5
Worked hard on the left flank to track Aina’s runs and provide cover.
But showed precious little in an attacking sense.
Chelsea have an obligation to buy him from this summer.
But this wasn’t the kind of day when he was going to convince anyone that would be good business and he was replaced by Lavia on the hour.
Pedro Neto – 6
Played as a makeshift striker in Nicolas Jackson’s continued absence.
But struggled to make an impression and missed a snip on the half hour when he fired ‘s inviting cross over when he had to hit the target – at least!
Looked a bit better when he was moved to the wing after the break and provided the crucial assist for Colwill’s goal.
But a frustrating day for the Portuguese who was replaced by Gusto near the end.
SUBS:
Romeo Lavia (Jadon Sancho, 62) – 5
Came on to bolt the backdoor once Chelsea got their noses in front and did what it said on the tin!
Flashed in a late shot which was deflected for a corner.
Malo Gusto (Pedro Neto, 78) – 5
Sent on to help see out the game and did exactly that, double-banking with James to keep Hudson-Odoi under lock and key.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Noni Madueke, 86) – 5
Sent on to kill a bit of time late on but ended up putting in a crucial clearing tackle to keep Chelsea’s clean sheet.
Sanchez flipped the ball away from Wood’s head and Jota and Neco Williams were steaming in for the kill.
However KDH threw himself at the loose ball to hoof it to safety.
