Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest - Raheem Sterling and Taiwo Awoniyi trade braces as Forest hold Blues

Raheem Sterling and Taiwo Awoniyi both scored braces as Chelsea and Nottingham Forest shared the points in a frantic 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. Awoniyi gave Forest an early lead, helped by an Edouard Mendy mistake as he looped a header over the stranded goalkeeper. Ad Early in the second half, Sterling found the net twice in a matter of minutes to put Chelsea ahead.

Premier LeagueSterling believes next Chelsea manager must have 'final say on everything'05/05/2023 AT 21:17 The lead only lasted three minutes, as Awoniyi beat Mendy with another header to draw Forest level. Overall, it’s a welcome point for Steve Cooper’s side who edge closer to safety. Chelsea enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening exchanges but it was Forest who took an unlikely lead after Mendy — who started his first game since November — made a big error on his return.

Awoniyi wanted the ball most when Renan Lodi floated a cross into a Chelsea-dominated box, and the Nigerian rose highest between Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile to nod the ball over an erratic Mendy who had needlessly rushed off his line. Joe Worrall replaced Brennan Johnson in Forest’s only change as they established a more defensive set-up, and the Forest skipper proved Steve Cooper’s decision right with a handful of important blocks and interceptions in the first half. He denied Raheem Sterling, who was through on goal, with a last-ditch challenge after Enzo Fernandez had lifted a ball over the top, and later cut out a Conor Gallagher cross which was destined to be nodded in by Joao Felix from close-range.