Chelsea receive Premier League boost as 'scandal' rocks Nottingham Forest

Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Champions League football next season by Nottingham Forest despite having dropped points against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Enzo Maresca’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Magpies earlier today and risked losing their place in the top five should Nottingham Forest have beaten already relegated Leicester City at The City Ground.

Forest went 1-0 down after 16 minutes against the Foxes after Conor Coady found the back of the net. The hosts then reversed the scoreline thanks to goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood.

Nottingham Forest drop points in race for Champions League

However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could not hold onto the lead with an 81st minute Facundo Buonanotte strike ensuring a point went back to the King Power Stadium. While a win would have lifted Nottingham Forest to fourth in the table, above Chelsea, a point means the club stays in sixth.

Forest are part of the pack chasing Champions League qualification having performed above expectation under Nuno. The outfit have slipped down the table in recent weeks with defeats against Aston Villa, Everton and Brentford.

After dropping points against Championship-bound Leicester City, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch in a moment of hot headedness that has set the football world alight. Marinakis confronted Nuno after the final whistle with the two sharing a feisty exchange of words in front of TV cameras.

Explaining what happened, Nuno said: “It was due to the situation. There was a confusion over the situation of T [Taiwo Awoniyi]. There was frustration to play 10 minutes with a player that had so much confidence and being positive that he's going to score. We made the sub, then played with one man less. That causes frustration, it's obvious."

Gary Neville blasts ‘scandalous’ Evangelos Marinakis

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Arsenal, Gary Neville said: "I feel compelled to mention what has just been going on with the Forest owner on the pitch at the City Ground, which was absolutely scandalous. If I was Nuno I'd be having very strong words with him.

"That is an absolute scandal. He's just qualified for a European competition, and where that club has been, remonstrating like that on the pitch in front of their own fans... it's an absolute joke."

A seething Neville then doubled down on that opinion. Taking to social media platform X, he said: "Scandalous from that Forest owner. Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that."

Nottingham Forest can still qualify for the Champions League next season but must now make up lost ground. Chelsea face Forest on the final day of the Premier League season at the City Ground in what could be a crunch match for both teams.

Chelsea boss Maresca is determined to put the defeat to Newcastle United behind him and focus on the race for the top five. When asked about moving forward, he said: “Absolutely. Yes. It’s the same message in the last four or five games we won in a row. My message was exactly the same. Congratulations we won but we need to think about the next one. We didn’t win today. We are upset in one side. On the other side proud of the team because the effort has been top. We need to keep the same energy and same feeling and go on Friday again.”

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