Nottingham Forest 2 Chelsea 3: Reece James returns to set up winner as two in two minutes keep Blues in Europa hunt
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.
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.
s the rebound over from about four yards.