The Reds returned to Premier League action in the capital on Saturday afternoon with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Frank Lampard’s Chelsea
Steve Cooper made one change from the side who beat Southampton at The City Ground on Monday night with Joe Worrall coming in to replace Brennan Johnson, who dropped to the bench.
The Reds started the game brightly and created the first chance of the afternoon as Renan Lodi whipped in a left footed corner and found Felipe at the front post, but he headed just wide from a tight angle.
Forest then took the lead in the 13th minute through Taiwo Awoniyi. The Reds moved the ball well across the midfield and Renan Lodi found himself on the left with space for a cross which was met by the head of Awoniyi who scored his 3rd goal in two games.
Chelsea looking for a response registered their first meaningful attack in the 17th minute as Raheem Sterling found himself one-on-one, but Joe Worrall did well to get back and make a vital block. Lewis Hall soon after had his attempt on goal blocked as Forest threw their bodies on the line to protect the lead.
At the other end, Forest were looking to break on the counterattack after good link up between Morgan Gibbs-White and Awoniyi set Danilo and Lodi off down the left, but Chelsea recovered well to block Danilo’s resulting strike at goal out for a corner.
On 33 minutes Chelsea came close through João Félix after Lewis Hall did well down the Chelsea left hand side to beat Aurier and get his cross in, only for Felix’s header to be saved and held by the diving Keylor Navas.
The Reds defended well during the first half and limited Chelsea to very few chances whilst looking to hit the home side on the break.
Chelsea were forced into the first change of the afternoon on 45 minutes after Mateo Kovačić picked up an injury and was replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
3 minutes were added to the end of the first half with neither side able to create a shot on goal, so it was Forest went into the break in front.
Half-time: Chelsea 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Forest were the first to pose a threat in the second period with Danilo carrying the ball through midfield before seeing his effort blocked behind for a corner. The resulting corner was almost met at the back post by Niakhaté after a great flick by Felipe.
However, on 50 minutes it was Chelsea who had the ball in the back of the net as they levelled the scoring through Raheem Sterling after the ball was cut back by Trevoh Chalobah.
The home side were now on top with long range efforts from Conor Gallagher and João Félix both coming close before Raheem Sterling scored his second of the afternoon on 58 minutes. Sterling cut back inside from the left-hand side of the box onto his right foot and curled his shot past Keylor Navas into the far corner.
But there was an immediate response to going behind from the Reds. A long Moussa Niakhaté throw in on 62 minutes found Orel Mangala on the edge of the box who’s first time left footed cross was met by Taiwo Awoniyi as he scored his second header of the afternoon at the back post.
The first booking of the afternoon was given to João Félix by referee Paul Tierney for a dive over Orel Mangala’s outstretched leg on the edge of the Forest penalty area.
With Moussa Niakhaté throw-ins causing the Chelsea backline trouble, the ball fell the Renan Lodi on the edge of the box who blasted a left footed, first-time attempt just wide of the mark.
As Frank Lampard looked to freshen up his side with just less than 20 minutes left of the 90, Thaigo Silva was shown a yellow card for bringing down Awoniyi. João Félix and Chukwunonso Madueke were then replaced by Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech.
Connor Gallagher was the next Chelsea player in the referee’s notebook as he pulled back Mangala on the halfway line.
With 10 minutes left to play Steve Cooper made his first change of the afternoon bringing on Brennan Johnson for Taiwo Awoniyi before Renan Lodi was booked for a foul on Hakim Ziyech.
Cooper then made his second change of the afternoon on 85 minutes with Cheikhou Kouyaté replacing Ryan Yates.
As the game entered stoppage time in the second half, Danilo was replaced by Harry Toffolo. The Reds defended well and dug deep limiting Chelsea to long range efforts which meant the tie ended all square and Forest left the capital with a valuable point.
Full-time: Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest: Keylor Navas, Serge Aurier, Moussa Niakhaté. Felipe, Joe Worrall, Renan Lodi, Danilo (Harry Toffolo 90’), Orel Mangala, Ryan Yates (Cheikhou Kouyaté 85’), Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi (Brennan Johnson 81’)
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Remo Freuler, Harry Toffolo, Jesse Lingard, Sam Surridge, Andre Ayew, Willy Boly
Goals: Taiwo Awoniyi (13’, 62’)
Chelsea: Édouard Mendy, Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Benoît Badiashile, Lewis Hall, Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernández, Mateo Kovačić (Ruben Loftus-Cheek 45’), Chukwunonso Madueke (Hakim Ziyech 73’), João Félix (Kai Havertz 73’), Raheem Sterling
Substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, César Azpilicueta, Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Christian Pulisic, David Datro Fofana
Goals: Raheem Sterling (51’, 58’)
Attendance: 40,030