REECE JAMES returned to inspire Chelsea’s thrilling late comeback win.
Willy Boly had quickly cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s classy early opener for Chelsea – before an incredible second-half finale.
Fit-again goal-maker Reece James celebrates with goal-taker Nicolas Jackson as Chelsea nicked victory with a quickfire double[/caption] Nicolas Jackson nods the clincher from a Reece James cross[/caption] Nicolas Jackson celebrates his winner[/caption]Blues’old boy Callum Hudson-Odoi brilliantly put Forest in front on 74 minutes.
But Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson struck in the space f two minutes to boost the Europa League chances of Mauricio Pochettino’s improving visitors.
Mudryk had slotted Chelsea in front on eight minutes, Cole Palmer sliding the assist.
But Boly headed a simple equaliser eight minutes later after finding space from what seemed a routine Morgan Gibbs-White free-kick – VAR confirming it was onside.
Forest skipper Ryan Yates fizzed a low 20-yarder off the post soon after the break – in a sign of the rising drama to come
And Chelsea soon had an incredible double escape in this often frenetic contest
Hudson-Odoi flighted a backpost cross that Gibbs-White stretched to head off the upright from point-blank range – with Chris Wood volleying the rebound high from almost as close in, albeit he had to twist backwards.
And Hudson-Odoi rounded off a lightning break started by keeper Matz Sels to put Forest ahead in style.
Put through by Gibbs White, the three-cap Englishman swerved inside onto his right foot for a low curler into the far corner on 74 minutes.
But Sterling stole in to equalise with a similar effort – just a bit firmer and further out.
And almost immediately fit-again sub James crossed for Jackson to nod Chelsea in front – the striker leaping into the crowd to celebrate wildly and earn a booking.
Mykhailo Mudryk slid Chelsea’s right-foot opener[/caption] Willy Boly sneaked in to head Forest’s 16th minute leveller[/caption] Mudryk salutes his early breakthrough at the City Ground[/caption] Boly celebrates his quick equaliser as Forest killed off drop fears[/caption]s the rebound over from about four yards.