Trending 
Chelsea secured a return to the UEFA Champions League after a two-year absence, thanks to centre-back Levi Colwill’s decisive strike in a tense 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.
The result dashed Forest’s hopes of a top-five finish, leaving them seventh and set for the UEFA Conference League instead.
Colwill netted early in the second half to hand Enzo Maresca’s side the three points they needed to clinch fourth place in the Premier League.
Chelsea ended the campaign four points ahead of Forest, who were aiming for their first Champions League appearance since 1980–81.
Despite facing criticism for his often defensive tactical approach, Maresca steered the Blues to five wins in their final six league matches—enough to secure elite European football next season.
The victory also allows Chelsea to approach their UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday with renewed confidence as they chase their first piece of silverware since lifting the Club World Cup in 2022.
Maresca’s leadership has come under scrutiny during his debut season, but guiding the club to a Champions League spot and the brink of a trophy could serve as a powerful response to his critics.
Away from home, Chelsea had previously won just seven of 18 league fixtures this season, compared to 12 victories at Stamford Bridge.
However, they rose to the occasion when it mattered most, demonstrating their composure in a high-pressure fixture.
Forest, who spent several weeks in third place earlier in the season, faltered at the wrong time. Their failure to win any of their final four home matches ultimately cost them a Champions League spot, although seventh place still marks their best top-flight finish since 1994–95.
Nottingham Forest’s players were given a spirited welcome, with fans waving red flares and balloons outside the stadium.
The mood was further lifted by the return of striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was back in the squad after suffering a serious abdominal injury and undergoing surgery that left him in a coma.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo had urged his team to use Awoniyi’s remarkable recovery as inspiration. While Forest showed plenty of effort and determination, they struggled to create clear-cut chances in a tense affair.
Chelsea’s first notable opportunity came after half an hour, when Pedro Neto fired over from close range following Cole Palmer’s delivery. Just before the break, Forest had their big moment, but Chris Wood volleyed over from Ola Aina’s cross.
Fielding the youngest average starting XI in the Premier League this season—24 years and 36 days—Chelsea showed maturity beyond their years.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes after the restart when Neto pounced on a poor defensive header by Neco Williams and delivered a low cross for Colwill to tap home at the back post.
Colwill’s second goal of the season silenced the Forest crowd, though brief hope returned when news filtered through that Newcastle had fallen behind against Everton.
But despite shifting momentum across the league on the final day, it was Chelsea who kept their composure to book a prized Champions League return.
