2 months ago
20
CHELSEA’S draw with Nottingham Forest descended into chaos late on as a huge brawl broke out.
The touchline fracas even saw the managers get involved as tempers boiled over.
Premier League
Premier LeagueIt came in the 89th minute of a feisty Premier League affair at Stamford Bridge.
James Ward-Prowse had earlier been sent off for the visitors with 12 minutes remaining.
However, it all kicked off in front of the dugouts as stoppage time approached.
As Neco Williams and Marc Cucurella chased the ball down, the Forest man pushed the Spaniard into Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
The Italian was sent flying before bedlam broke out around him.
Players from both teams piled in as the pushing and shoving continued.
Maresca and his opposite number Nuno Espirito Santo could both be seen attempting to calm the situation.
Nicolas Jackson even appeared to slap Forest defender Morato during the scuffle.
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However, Maresca is not concerned about his side’s ill-discipline, explaining after the match: “I like the way the team is fighting – I don’t see any problems with that.”
Referee Chris Kavanagh was finally able to get players back under control before restarting the match.
Chelsea player ratings vs Forest: Madueke shines again but hot-head Jackson too busy arguing
CHELSEA were held by ten-man Nottingham Forest as frustration filled Stamford Bridge.
Noni Madueke cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener but the Blues couldn’t find a winner.
And frustrations boiled over with a mass brawl in added time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jack Figg rated the Blues stars.
Robert Sanchez – 8
Excellent positioning to snuff out Forest counter on hour mark and made two sensational late saves to deny the visitor’s a winner.
Malo Gusto – 6
Wasn’t able to prevent Nikola Milenkovic’s flick on to set up Wood’s opener but he produced a great block to deny Gibbs-White in the box.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Forming a good partnership at the back with Colwill. Finally some consistency at centre-half for Chelsea.
Levi Colwill – 7
Made a huge block to prevent Yates in the first half. John Terry-esque defending.
Marc Cucurella – 5
Lacked attacking creativity down the left having filled in at centre-back at times. Failed to form much of a threat with Sancho.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Agonisingly close to getting ahead of Wood to prevent the Forest opener. Took the role as deep-lying midfielder in front of back line.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Still looks to be finding his best position under Maresca. Not a natural holding midfielder but denied preferred advanced role by Palmer.
Cole Palmer – 6
Looked lively when afforded space in the centre but the Chelsea superstar saw a huge chance saved thanks to Matz Sels double save.
Noni Madueke – 8
Constant threat down the right side with his goal well deserved. But the winger finds himself guilty of making the wrong choice in the final third.
Jadon Sancho – 4
Largely absent throughout the match with Aina doing a stellar job in keeping the tricky forward quiet. Lacked killer instinct going forward.
Nicolas Jackson – 4
Apart from pressing, quiet throughout. Slow to react in the box in a frustrating sign of inconsistency after recent goalscoring form. Spent more time arguing with team-mates at points.
Subs
Joao Felix (for Fernandez 80 mins) – 6
Christopher Nkaunku (for Jackson 80 mins) – 6
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho 89 mins) -5
Pedro Neto (for Madueke 89 mins) – 6
Tosin Adarabioyo (for Colwill 90+3 mins) – 5
Williams and Cucurella were both booked for their involvement, along with Blues defender Levi Colwill.
The late melee failed to inspire either side to find a winning goal, though, as the match ended 1-1.
Forest had taken the lead early in the second half through Chris Wood before Noni Madueke’s equaliser eight minutes later.
It means Chelsea sit fourth in the table heading into the international break, four points behind league leaders Liverpool.
As for Forest, they are ninth with just one defeat from their opening seven matches.
Premier League
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