In a classic tale of rotation and resilience, Nottingham Forest came to Stamford Bridge and gave a good account of themselves against a Chelsea side t...
In a classic tale of rotation and resilience, Nottingham Forest came to Stamford Bridge and gave a good account of themselves against a Chelsea side that looked far from their best. Vitor Pereira, channelling the spirit of Unai Emery, made no fewer than eight changes to the team that conquered Aston Villa on Thursday night. Only Morato, Nico Dominguez, and Igor Jesus kept their places, as the powers that be sought to manage the lion's share of the fixture congestion. The first half was a cagey affair, with Chelsea enjoying the lion's share of possession but failing to convert that dominance into clear cut chances. Forest, organised and disciplined, soaked up pressure and looked dangerous on the counter. The Nigerian international, Taiwo Awoniyi, was a handful for the Chelsea defence, using his strength to hold up play and bring his teammates into the game. At the end of the day, the draw felt like a victory for the visitors, who showed that they are no pushovers in the scheme of things. The result leaves Chelsea pondering their inconsistency while Forest can hold their heads high. The match, broadcast live on GoalZaza, was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the Premier League. For the fans back home in Lagos, the reaction at viewing centres in Surulere and Ikeja was one of cautious optimism. Many were heard singing the praises of Awoniyi, while others debated whether Chelsea's troubles are deeper than the pitch. In the bars along Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, patrons shook their heads at the Blues. � failure to break down a determined Forest defence, with one particularly animated fan declaring:. �If na our Super Eagles player dem dey face, e no go better for Chelsea!. �
