The Blues staged an impressive fightback, with two of their substitutes making significant contributions late on in the 3-2 win

Chelsea always seem to do things the hard way. It took them until the final 10 minutes of the game to finally start playing against Nottingham Forest, ultimately showing impressive character to turn what looked as if it was going to be a defeat into all three points.

It was the Blues who started on the front foot – Mykhailo Mudryk giving the visitors the lead after eight minutes, darting inside Willy Boly in the box before sliding the ball past Matz Sels. It didn’t last long, though, with Boly heading home via a deflection off Conor Gallagher to level things up.

The hosts, needing a point to secure their Premier League survival, went ahead after 74 minutes as Callum Hudson-Odoi tormented his former club by cutting inside and bending an effort past Djordje Petrovic in the Chelsea goal.

The game then went a bit bonkers, with the Blues scoring twice in quick succession, through substitute Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson – who had had a nightmare 81 minutes until his goal, put on a plate for him by the returning Reece James – to stage an impressive late comeback and keep their European qualification hopes very much alive.

 We rates Chelsea’s players from the City Ground…

Djordje Petrovic – 6

Petrovic made a couple of fine saves. He didn’t do anything wrong.

Trevoh Chalobah – 6

Chalobah used his aerial prowess to Chelsea’s advantage. He does not offer the same attacking ability that Malo Gusto or Reece James do as he is in an unnatural position. He did okay.

Thiago Silva – 6

Silva’s positioning saved Chelsea at times. Solid back there once again. Sad there are only two more games for Silva at Chelsea.

Benoit Badiashile – 5

The Frenchman gives away a silly foul that led to Forest’s equalising goal. Apart from that, he did okay. Won a lot in the air. 5.

Marc Cucurella – 5

The Spaniard’s impact in the new inverted role was somewhat nullified – something that clearly had an impact on Pochettino’s plans at the City Ground. Cucurella was not able to get on the ball as much as he had in recent games, so much so that in the second-half, he seemed to play a more conventional full-back role.

Moises Caicedo – 7

Caicedo was great once again. Not as imperious as recent games but one of the standout performers for the Blues once again.

Conor Gallagher – 6

The England international was not at his brilliant best. Unable to have too much of an impact going forward but his energy was important for Chelsea in the middle of the pitch.

Noni Madueke – 4

Madueke gave the ball away too much. Sometimes in really dangerous areas, too, which led to unnecessary pressure from the hosts. Not able to continue his recent form. Off before the hour-mark.

Cole Palmer – 8

Chelsea’s recently-crowned Player of the Season set up Mykhailo Mudryk’s goal early on with one of the best through balls you are likely to see. Perfect weight and direction on the pass to play in the Ukrainian on eight minutes.

Brilliant from Palmer.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 7

Mudryk opened the scoring with a lovely finish. The run that led to it was something we need to see on a frequent basis. His scary speed left Gonzalo Montiel for dead and he showed a calmness in front of goal to net his fifth of the season in the Premier League.

After his goal, though, he seemed to fizzle out somewhat. Chelsea were not attacking down the left-hand side too much and Mudryk was rather anonymous despite opening the scoring.

Nicolas Jackson – 7

The Senegal international missed a huge opportunity just over 30 minutes in. Jackson was clean through on goal but did not do enough to beat Matz Sels in the Forest goal.

It was not his best performance, but he more than made up for it with what proved to be the winning goal. A great run to the back post to head in from a Reece James cross.

Substitutes

Christopher Nkunku – 6

Nkunku came on early in the second-half. Looked bright.

Malo Gusto – 5

Gusto came on at the same time as Nkunku. He lets Hudson-Odoi in on his right foot too easily for the winning goal.

Raheem Sterling – 8

A great finish into the bottom corner to level the match for Chelsea. An unstoppable run and finish. He has that in his locker.

Reece James – 7

He did not hang around, did he? A pinpoint cross to Jackson minutes after coming on. That is what Chelsea have missed. So pleased for the captain.