Chelsea 1-3 Nottingham Forest - Forest move six points clear of Premier League relegation zone with comfortable win over struggling Blues

Nottingham Forest took a big step towards assuring their Premier League status next season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Taiwo Awoniyi had a hand in all three goals as he returned to the starting line-up for Forest.

The Nigeria international headed home inside 98 seconds to open the scoring in west London before he had his shirt pulled by Malo Gusto, resulting in a penalty for the away side.

Igor Jesus stepped up and slotted home to double Forest's lead.

Chelsea had the chance to halve the deficit shortly before half-time with their own penalty after a nasty clash of heads between debutant Jesse Derry and Zach Abbott, but Cole Palmer's effort was saved by Matz Sels.

Derry, 18, spent over 10 minutes on the pitch receiving medical attention before being stretchered off and taken to hospital.

Seven minutes into the second half, Awoniyi had his second after he finished a flowing move to effectively seal the three points.

Chelsea struggled to find a foothold in the game but scored their first goal in almost six matches in spectacular fashion, with Joao Pedro connecting with a bicycle kick to give the home fans something to cheer about in added time.

It was not enough though, as there were loud boos from the Chelsea fans at full-time, with their league season slipping away in dramatic style.

For Forest, they took a big step to booking their spot in next year's Premier League by moving six points clear of the relegation zone with just three games remaining.  

It's been a long season for Nottingham Forest, but today's win has them within touching distance of Premier League survival.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels, who saved Cole Palmer's penalty minutes before half-time to keep the score at 2-0, said the team is "almost there now."

"[The penalty save] was a good moment, just before half-time. They were coming back into the game and it was more difficult then. I'm happy, I'm happy to help the team at a crucial moment. The win is massive for us. Still three games to play, not yet done, but we're almost there now," Sels said.

"In the last weeks we did really well, we didn't lose a lot of games in the last five or six. The gaffer brought a lot of positive energy. Today he changed a lot of players, it's not always easy for the players who didn't play a lot but when we needed them they were there. I'm really happy for these guys."

Fresh off being involved in all three goals against Chelsea, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi believes there is reason to be optimistic heading into the final few weeks of the season.

The club is still in the UEFA Europa League and today's victory could seal their position in the Premier League next season.

"Football is a team game, everyone needs to be ready and it's not about everyone starting it's about the team," Awoniyi told Sky Sports.

"We came here with the mentality to win, good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa [for his goal] as well and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team.

"Kudos to the manager and the staff - not only the people on the ground but the nutritionists, physio. It's all about the team and looking forward to the next game. I believe it could be an amazing season for us."

Chelsea have said the following about 18-year-old Jesse Derry after he was stretchered off following a clash of heads:

Nottingham Forest have gone unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions for the first time since January 2016 and for the first time as a top-flight side since November 1995. 

How crucial could that result be for Nottingham Forest.

The 3-1 victory at Chelsea, thanks to a double from Taiwo Awoniyi and a goal from Igor Jesus, moves them six points clear of the relegation zone with just three games of the Premier League season remaining.

The win could be the one which secures their safety in the top flight, and with a second leg of a UEFA Europa League semi-final to come too, it's exciting times in Nottinghamshire.

Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, suffering their sixth consecutive league defeat.

It's all over at Stamford Bridge and Forest have picked up a massive victory in the relegation battle.

That Joao Pedro goal has given Chelsea the slightest slimmer of hope for a comeback and they win a late corner.

Trevor Chalobah's header flies over the crossbar and that looks to be that.

Call it the commentators' curse but Chelsea have finally scored a Premier League goal, and how!

Just as the game looks to be petering out, Joao Pedro pops up with a beautiful bicycle kick to score Chelsea's first goal in almost six games.

It doesn't look like it'll effect the result but it's something for the home fans to cheer at least.

Calum McFarlane looks a forlorn figure on the sideline as this game comes to an end.

Chelsea have now gone over nine and a half hours without a Premier League goal.

There will be nine minutes of added time.

In these final few moments, the game feels a bit like a preseason encounter with plenty of empty seats and one team happy to sit behind the ball.

Cole Palmer continues to try to make things happen but it's just not happening.

Even when Chelsea do break through, they have found Matz Sels in inspired form.

Cole Palmer has an effort from range with his weak foot but Sels gets a strong hand to it and palms it away.

This result will leave Chelsea 10 points off fifth and four points off sixth with just three games remaining.

With this poor run they are on, European football looks unlikely next season.

Liam Delap is also booked for saying something Anthony Taylor deemed unnecessary.

Moises Caicedo's name is into the book after tripping James McAtee.

Outside of Joao Pedro's offside goal, Chelsea have offered very little in this second half.

Since going three down, the home side appear to be happy to turn the page on this game.

TV cameras have just shown streams of people heading for the exit with over 10 minutes remaining.

After all that, Joao Pedro's goal has been ruled out for offside.

His toe is just beyond Neco Williams according to the video assistant referee and Chelsea's wait for a goal goes on.

Chelsea have ended their goal-scoring drought!

After nine goalless hours in the Premier League, Joao Pedro has the ball in the back of the net.

But it is being checked for an offside by the video assistant referee...