AFCON 2025
Levi Colwill scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest to secure their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Monumental.#CFC | #NFOCHE pic.twitter.com/6TWoxUnoel
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 25, 2025
Forest needed a win to stay in the hunt, while Chelsea knew dropped points could cost them fifth place. The hosts started brightly, pinning Chelsea back early, but clear chances were scarce.
Pedro Neto nearly broke through for Chelsea, stretching for a ball he couldn’t control, and despite the Blues dominating possession late in the first half, neither side troubled the keepers before the break.
Just after the restart, a miscued header from Neco Williams gifted Chelsea the lead, with Neto squaring for Levi Colwill to tap in.
Forest, now needing two goals to snatch a top-five spot, found Chelsea’s defense unyielding. The hosts struggled to create, their hopes fading as time ticked away.
In the dying moments, a long ball from Matz Sels gave Chris Wood a half-chance, but the striker, off-balance, couldn’t convert.
Chelsea’s 1-0 victory, their fifth in six Premier League games, secured fourth place and a Champions League return.
Maresca’s successful first domestic season now shifts focus to Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis.
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