Levi Colwill scored a rare and lucrative goal that Chelsea’s billion pounds boys club in the Champions League pushed after an absence of two years.
And before Nottingham ForestIt was a case of what Colwill gives, Colwill removes.
It was the Chelsea Defender’s own goal, while they are on loan Huddersfield TownThat forest promotion to the top flight in the Championship Play-off final of 2022.
But early in the second half, the England Man only scored the fifth goal of his career to arrange this last-day shoot-out for a place at the top table of European football.
And Chelsea now go to Poland for Wednesday Europe Conference League Final against Real betisKnowing that they are assured of a place back in the elite.
This result ensured that Enzo Maresca will survive as a head coach at Stamford Bridge and will allow it Todd Boehly & Co to claim that their policy of the bulk purchasing of young players on long contracts is starting to bear fruit.
After a tense match of few chances, the men of Nuno Espirito Santo ended up in seventh place, who gives them a place in the Conference League next term.
This season, much more had promised forest, who were in the top three of the Premier League for most of the campaign.
But they have only taken one point of their last four home games, who eventually killed their ambitions to play in a higher echelon of European competition.
For Chelsea this was only a second Premier League match since December.
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They played in their starting line-ups without a recognized Center-Forward Pedro Neto work like a ‘false nine’ in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson.
While Forest was nailed to it for the Champions League A large part of the season, a return to European football Was already secured after an interruption of 30 years.
And a banner who reads ‘destination: Europe’ was unraveled on the Trent.
For the kick -off, Gary Neville -Overboden of the city area for criticizing forest owner Evangelos Marinakis-Werd generally accused of vomiting romping one on a bed.
But on the field it was boring early – neither side of an attack teethWith forest spraying of set pieces.
It took almost half an hour for a serious score to stand up – Noni Madueke power supply Cole Palmer Right and the England Man who focuses on Neto to Volley.
Almost immediately, Elliott Anderson responded to Forest with a immersed long-ranger that fell wide from the distant pole.
But largely, it was anxious and ant STOP -start things – the players of Chelsea do a lot to fall, with Ref Anthony Taylor responsive.
There were the punishment of the forest fans then Anthony Elanga went down after a jumble with Palmer, but Taylor and his Variety were not interested.
Just before half -time, Ola Aina waved in a cross from the right, Chris Wood Arrived for keeper Robert Sanchez, but the kiwi peak volleyed over.
At the start of the second half, Chelsea showed more intention and within four minutes after the restart they were paramount.
A corner was partially deleted, but one Marc Cucurella Ball over the top captured forest flat and Neto rolled over the goal for Colwill to tap and celebrate for the traveling blues fans at the rear stick.
Soon Madueke’s shot became clearly suitable Matz Sels While Chelsea went a quick murder.
Nuno sent the former Chelsea -Man Callum Hudson-Odoi And when Ryan Yates, after Nicolas Dominguez was forced to bump after a heavy challenge from Madueke.
But Forest struggled to make an enchantment of territorial benefit in goals, although Wood had bent an effort up close in injury time.
And Chelsea could secure the qualification for the Champions League in a relatively comfortable way.
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