Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest: Sterling and Taiwo score a brace for either team to share the points

 

Taiwo Awoniyi celebrating one the goals. Courtesy photo.

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, as both teams had something to fight for in the Premier League. Forest, who are battling to avoid relegation, took a surprise lead in the first half through Taiwo Awoniyi's header in the 13^th minute.

Forest’s Orel Mangala dispossessed Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and the ball quickly got to Renan Lodi who floated a cross into the Chelsea box where Awoniyi beat the onrushing Edouard Mendy to the ball and headed into the empty net.

Going a goal down woke up Chelsea who became more offensive and created several chances but Trevor Chalobah, Kovacic, and Rahim Sterling saw their either blocked by Nottingham Forest defenders or saved by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

In the second half, Chelsea, who are looking to end a disappointing season on a high equalized in the second half with Raheem Sterling's tap-in from Trevoh Chalobah's cross in the 51^st minute.

The Englishman then put the hosts ahead with a stunning curler from the edge of the box seven minutes later. Half-time substitute Loftus-Cheek won possession on the halfway line with a brilliant tackle, before surging through the middle and feeding Sterling who cut inside and sent a curling shot that Navas.

However, Forest refused to give up and levelled four minutes later with another header from Awoniyi, who pounced on a long throw-in. After this equalizer, both sides had chances to win it but neither could find the decisive goal.

Chelsea remain in the bottom half of the table 11^th and Nottingham remain 16^th, three points from safety with two matches to go.