Venue: Drogba Arena, London
Result: Chelsea 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Goals: Whatmough (36′), Sahar (72′)
Chelsea continued their dominant run in the Premier Division with a composed 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at a rain-soaked Drogba Arena. The win marks the Blues’ fifth consecutive league triumph and underlines their position at the top of the table.
Relentless Pressure Pays Off
From the opening whistle, Chelsea controlled possession and territory. Nottingham Forest struggled to progress beyond midfield, with Chelsea’s midfield duo of José Franco and Fernando González dictating play and stifling transitions. Chelsea finished the match with 65% possession and generated 2.47 expected goals compared to Forest’s 0.81, painting a clear picture of the balance of play.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute through the in-form Zain Whatmough. The right winger latched onto a Joseph Haigh delivery to nod home from close range. Initially ruled out, the goal was eventually given after a VAR review, with referee Stuart Dolan overturning his decision.
Sahar Stamps His Influence
Netanel Sahar, fresh off a goal-scoring run including strikes against Reading and Man UFC, once again proved decisive. He had already drawn a penalty in the 67th minute after excellent movement in the box but was denied from the spot by Forest’s goalkeeper André. However, Sahar made no mistake moments later. In the 72nd minute, he timed his run to perfection to convert a low cross from Jairzinho, doubling Chelsea’s lead and securing the points.
The goal was Sahar’s 9th of the campaign in the Premier League and 13th in all competitions — a tally that places him among the most clinical finishers in England right now. While his finishing is certainly impressive, it’s his relentless pressing, timing of runs, and ability to create space for teammates that have rounded out his game this season.
Defensive Solidity Amidst Boardroom Uncertainty
Despite the off-field distraction of a potential club takeover and a recently imposed transfer embargo, the players remained focused. Hasitha Mohamed Risvi stood tall in goal, producing several sharp saves to keep Forest at bay and earn Player of the Match honours with a rating of 7.8. The defensive trio of Kardec, Civzellis, and Beya were organised and disciplined, limiting Forest to just three shots on target.
Standout Performers
- Zain Whatmough: Constant threat on the right, his header broke the deadlock. Another high-energy display from the winger.
- Netanel Sahar: Clinical finish after earlier penalty miss. His work rate and movement consistently disrupted Forest’s defensive shape.
- Hasitha Mohamed Risvi: Key saves in both halves. His distribution also helped Chelsea sustain pressure.
Manager’s Thoughts
Manager Calin Dimario praised the professionalism of his players post-match: “There’s a lot happening around the club right now, but we’ve kept our focus on the pitch. That’s the mark of a serious team. I’m proud of the effort.”
What’s Next?
Chelsea turn their attention to the Carabao Cup quarterfinal draw, scheduled later this week. With form and depth on their side, they remain strong contenders on all fronts.
Images and stats sourced from matchday data at Drogba Arena.