Fresh from killing off Chelsea 's top-five hopes, Nottingham Forest will now turn their attention to making sure the London club cannot sneak into the Champions League through the back door.
After being beaten at home by Forest's second string, Chelsea cannot finish in the top five and their only hope of getting into the Champions League is for Aston Villa to win the Europa League, finish fifth and free up a sixth place through the Premier League.
But, a goal up from the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie with Villa, Forest will fancy completing the job against their Midlands rivals and qualifying for the Champions League themselves by lifting the trophy in Istanbul later this month.
It is a remarkable potential scenario for a team that seemed destined for the Championship for so long this season and underlines what a brilliant job head coach Vítor Pereira is doing. Forest are not yet mathematically safe, but they are all-but assured of their Premier League status thanks to this result.
Forest go into the second leg of the Villa tie on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions for the first time since 2016 and the first time as a top-flight club since November 1995. Anybody who does not make them favourites for Thursday night has not been paying attention.
Chelsea have more chance of finishing sixth from bottom than sixth from top, having lost a sixth successive league game. This was a fourth home defeat in the league in succession and the home stands at Stamford Bridge were virtually empty at the final whistle.
Behdad Eghbali, the Chelsea co-owner, was the subject of some abusive chanting from the home fans, who also booed at half-time and full time from those who stayed. But apathy is overtaking anger among the Chelsea supporters and that should be a huge worry for the club.
Pereira made eight changes, one more than Villa manager Unai Emery had against Tottenham Hotspur , and watched Taiwo Awoniyi , twice, and Igor Jesus, from the penalty spot, score the goals that secured this stunning win at Stamford Bridge. Emery will wonder why his stand-in players could not raise themselves in the same way Forest's reserves ripped into Chelsea.
Gibbs-White was forced off after a nasty collision with Robert Sanchez - Robin Jones/Getty Images
Awoniyi is not in Pereira's Europa League squad. But the only slight concern for Forest is that star man Morgan Gibbs-White , who was sent on as a half-time substitute, was forced off with a head injury after clashing with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
Gibbs-White and Sánchez both left the field with bandages around their heads and had to be replaced, although Pereira said that Gibbs-White had not suffered concussion. Chelsea teenager Jesse Derry had been carried off on a stretcher with a nasty head injury at the end of the first half and was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Fortunately, the club confirmed he was conscious and talking.
Chelsea's dreadful day was compounded by Cole Palmer missing from the penalty spot, in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel, after Derry had clashed heads with Zach Abbott , who also had to be replaced. If Palmer really wants to go to the World Cup, he has a funny way of showing it.
It was Matz Sels who saved Palmer's penalty low to his right and Chelsea fans will be aware that Forest signed both the goalkeeper and winger Dilane Bakwa from sister club Strasbourg , also owned by their BlueCo owners.
Bakwa produced the cross from which Awoniyi headed Forest in front after just 98 seconds after Marc Cucurella had failed to stop the delivery and Trevoh Chalobah had seen the ball sail over his head.
Whereas Villa had been lethargic and devoid of any ideas after Emery's changes, Forest were energetic and creative. They also had some good fortune on their side, as an Enzo Fernández shot rebounded off the post with the visitors still just a solitary goal ahead.
Chelsea's season has been defined by ridiculous moments and Malo Gusto made his contribution to the roll of dishonour by making a stupid decision to help Forest into a two-goal lead.
Malo Gusto pulls the shirt of Taiwo Awoniyi at the back post - Sky Sports
Bakwa's cross from the right was never going to be reached by Awoniyi, who had Chalobah in front of him, and yet Gusto still decided to pull the striker back. Referee Anthony Taylor was sent to the monitor by VAR and Jesus converted the resulting spot kick. Gusto was shown a yellow card, but should really have been sent off simply for being an idiot.
Not content for his side to sit on their two-goal half-time lead, or perhaps wary of Chelsea stepping up a gear after the break, Pereira sent on Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic for the start of the second half.
With Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto both missing from the squad, Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane had nowhere to turn. It was no surprise, when, in the 52nd minute, Gibbs-White got free down the right and crossed for Awoniyi to put the result beyond doubt despite João Pedro 's overhead kick in stoppage time.
Gibbs-White's enforced withdrawal may cause Forest a few nerves ahead of travelling to Villa. But Pereira's men have proved they can cope without him and Chelsea frankly do not deserve a route into the Champions League through the back door.
06:10pm
We are a team that want to keep our future in our hands and to do that we need to win games and not to be worried with the results of the other teams. If we win, we keep the distance and today another game, they proved again the speed, the quality and organisation. I am very happy for them and the players and the supporters.
One thing we are doing well is our pressure, we are organised. When we play these teams that put a lot of players in the middle it is important to close the space inside. We have players that can score goals in different ways, not a clean sheet but a fantastic goal from Joao Pedro.
But I'm very happy because we showed again strong spirit and showed this is a special group. It's difficult to deal with four managers, different methodologies and different demands, tactical demands. It's difficult to keep them united and keep them with friendship and they are one of the best groups I have worked with in my career.
Vitor Pereira will now start planning for Thursday's game Aston Villa - Andrew Couldridge/Reuters
05:58pm
There is five or six really top players at Chelsea and they have been beaten by Nottingham Forest's B team. Less than 12 months ago, they took PSG to the cleaners [in the Club World Cup Final].
There is no connection between the players and the staff, or players and supporters.
In one way it's a good thing because it shows us that football isn't just about spending money and buying players, it's about creating some togetherness. There is absolutely nothing there.
05:56pm
The update is that he is in a good condition. I need to fully speak to the medical team but it's positive signs.
05:53pm
A really disappointing result and performance. The first 15 minutes was not good enough. That set the tone.
Its hard to say [why it went wrong at the moment, I'd probably like to review the game to look at such a stark contrast to the way we defended against Leeds.
Enzo Fernandez hits the post and Cole Palmer misses the penalty; when you have such a bad start you need those kind of moments to go in your favour and unfortunately they didn't.
I don't think we lacked effort and commitment. We got into some good situations in the second half, it wasn't down to a lack of effort.
Calum McFarlane made a positive start at Wembley but Chelsea reverted to type - Andy Rain/Shutterstock
05:41pm
From the beginning we conceded too early and then it is always difficult to change the game against Nottingham Forest.
We need to find the way to not do these mistakes every game and start to win the games. This is the Premier League, if you concede too early it is very hard to come back.
I think we all need to look at ourselves, we also need to find a way to do better. I feel sorry for the fans and tomorrow we need to see what can be improved.
05:33pm
Football is a team game, everyone needs to be ready and it's not about everyone starting it's about the team.
We came here with the mentality to win, good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa [for his goal] as well and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team.
Kudos to the manager and the staff – not only the people on the ground but the nutritionists, physio. It's all about the team and looking forward to the next game. I believe it could be an amazing season for us.
05:20pm
05:19pm
05:16pm
But their next two games are a trip to Anfield before a home London derby against a Spurs team fighting for their lives. That is why attention could turn to the FA Cup final, but that is hardly an easier task against Man City .
05:11pm
Loud boos ring around Stamford Bridge, but really the story should be about Forest and their bold manager Vitor Pereira. Eight changes made, but a superb performance which all-but secures Premier League safety and sets them up perfectly for Thursday's huge game at Villa Park. A sixth successive league defeat for Chelsea. It is looking like they need to win the FA Cup final to qualify for Europe.
Forest's rotated team were still too good for Chelsea - Andrew Couldridge/Reuters
05:07pm
Forest defender the corner and Awoniyi drags them up the pitch but the flag goes up for offside against Hutchinson.
05:06pm
Chelsea had the chance to apply some more pressure from a corner, but Chalobah heads over the bar.
Palmer then pounces on a mistake, and his low cross is blocked. Will be another Chelsea corner.
05:05pm
Chelsea have finally scored, they avoid going six league games without a goal, even if they are still heading for six successive defeats. Five minutes to play, can they set Forest nerves jangling?
05:04pm
This one will definitely stand, and it is a spectacular overhead kick from six yards out. Teed the ball up for himself using his chest, before he finding the roof of the net with power. Great technique and around six minutes to play.
05:03pm
There will be nine minutes of added time to play.
04:58pm
Chelsea with a corner after a Palmer shot from range is blocked. Chelsea trying to end this run without a goal, but it all feels in vain. Forest defend the set-piece, and then break forward. Hutchinson decides to turn out and keep the ball.
04:55pm
Delap tries to turn and shoot in the box, but his shot deflects over for a corner. Taken short, and Sels gets down well to keep out Palmer's shot from the edge of the area. Not his or Chelsea's day.
04:53pm
Chelsea's midfield cut through all too easily, they were fortunate it was Chris Wood trying to lead a counter-attack. McAttee's low cross is cleared. Swathes of empty blue seats around the stadium, now.
Chelsea fans have seen enough - John Walton/PA
04:51pm
Omari Hutchinson on for Forest, replacing Bakwa who has had a stormer of a game. Hutchinson left Arsenal to join Chelsea, before he was sold to Forest.
04:49pm
Lovely control on the turn from James McAtee , with Caicedo tripping him at the expense of a yellow card. Delap also booked for dissent, which rather sums up Chelsea. Too much lip without much to back it up.
04:47pm
That could have been things interesting with plenty of stoppage time expected, but Forest are back into their position of comfort. Chelsea goalkeeper Jorgenson sweeps up as Forest try to release Awoniyi.
Some Chelsea have seen enough and are streaming out towards the exits.
04:45pm
"We've nearly scored! We've nearly scored!" was the chant from the Chelsea fans while the check was happening.
04:44pm
Chelsea have finally scored a goal in the league, Joao Pedro scoring from a low Cucurella cross after Sels saved his initial effort.
This is going to be another tight offside call though, it comes down to Pedro's right boot and Neco Williams .
04:41pm
Bit of needle between Anderson and Caicedo, and Bakwa and Cucurella, but Forest have had more snap in all of the duels. A miserable performance from Chelsea, and it is not improving.
04:38pm
Play has now resumed, but Delap's lay-off is behind Palmer, and then Cucurella pulls back Bakwa. The Forest winger has had the beating of the left-back throughout the game. Now Caicedo fouls Anderson, this suits Forest just fine.
04:36pm
Gibbs-White is sitting up now, but no need for Forest to take any chances. Sanchez has a bandage around his head, and Jorgenson is going to replace him in the Chelsea goal. Wood has now replaced Gibbs-White.
04:33pm
Another clash of heads, this time between Gibbs-White and Sanchez who were racing to reach a bouncing ball.
It appears Gibbs-White has come off second best, and Chris Wood is ready to come on.
Sanchez is back on his feet, but Gibbs-White is down and receiving treatment.
04:30pm
Excellent defensive header from Williams with Fernandez lining up to volley a Palmer cross just behind him. Chelsea heading for a sixth successive league defeat, and they still have not scored a goal in that spell. Forest are on an unbeaten run and flying.
04:28pm
This has turned ugly at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans have started leaving after Forest's third goal and a large section of those who have stayed are now singing rude songs aimed at co-owner Behdad Eghbali.
04:27pm
If Forest can get this across the line they will move to 42 points. West Ham were relegated with that tally in 2002-03 but it will surely be enough. Hats off to Pereira, he has played his cards perfectly. Forest fans signing about Istanbul again. Their performance is in stark constrast to Aston Villa's yesterday.
04:24pm
To the naked eye, the striker looked a shade offside but those replays can be deceiving. The semi-automated offside shows Awoniyi was just behind the ball.
04:23pm
It did not take long for Gibbs-White to make his presence felt, setting up Awoniyi for a tap in and his second goal of the afternoon. Great run from Gibbs-White off the back of Caicedo.
But did Awoniyi stray ahead of the ball and therefore offside?
04:21pm
An update on Jesse Derry's condition: he has been taken to Chelsea and Westminster hospital for "precuationary tests."
Chelsea have a corner after an attack that had more purpose about it, but Cucurella slashes a shot over from distance.
04:18pm
Not much of a response from Chelsea so far: the ball bounces off Delap for a goal kick before a stray pass gifts Forest a throw-in.
Forest have brought on the cavalry! What a position to be in: two goals up and a fresh Gibbs-White, Anderson and Milenkovic sent on to help see the game out. Colwill is on for Forest for his first league appearance since the final game of last season against the same opposition.
04:15pm
Chelsea kick-off in the second half.
04:14pm
That is the only half-time change by McFarlane.
Pereira is making a triple sub: Anderson, Gibbs-White and Milenkovic on, Cunha , Jesus and Dominguez off.
So Forest are two goals up, and now have a stronger team on the pitch than they did in the first.
04:09pm
It looks like the Chelsea defender will return to action in the second half.
04:04pm
Cole Palmer took his shirt off as he trudged off at half-time after missing a penalty in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel. The miss summed up Palmer's season and Chelsea have a mountain to climb to keep their league season alive in the second half. Forest have been sensational and a good second half will set them up perfectly for Thursday night's Europa League trip to Villa. Even Vitor Pereira must be surprised at how well this is going.
04:01pm
Chelsea's despair and Forest's joy have been tempered by that head injury to Derry, but Pereira's selection has been fully justified and it has been another sub-standard performance from Chelsea in the league.
03:58pm
Who knows how much time there is to play, but Chelsea have wasted a chance to reduce the deficit.
We hope for good news on Jesse Derry, who is the son of former QPR and Crystal Palace stalwart Shaun.
03:56pm
Good save by Sels, plunging to his right. If there is any mitigation, it was a strange situation to wait 10 minutes to take a penalty after seeing a team-mate suffer a worrying head injury.
03:55pm
With 53 minutes on the clock in the first half, Chelsea's debutant is carried off. Applause from both home and away fans.
Sky Sports have just shown the replay: both Derry and Abbott went up for the header, Derry got there first by a split-second, and Abbott accidentally followed through and headed his head. It looked like Derry was knocked out by the time he hit the turf.
Chelsea's Jesse Derry is carried off on a stretcher - Ian Walton/Reuters
03:51pm
Neco Williams has replaced Abbott, and Liam Delap is going to come on for Derry. They will go down as concussion substitutions.
03:49pm
Abbott looks a little upset, not sure whether that is because he is coming off or concern for Derry. Both, perhaps.
Medics have put an oxygen mask on Derry, and are moving him on to a stretcher.
03:47pm
Nasty incident this, Derry and Abbott, the two youngsters up against each other, went up for a 50:50 in the box and there was a horrible clash of heads.
Abbott is sat up, but Derry is down receiving extensive treatment and the stretcher is on. Chelsea's players called for a sub straight away.
Taylor pointed to the spot. Yet to see a replay, but that must be on the basis that Derry made contact with the ball first.
Jesse Derry receives treatment after a clash of heads - Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
03:45pm
Chelsea starting to get out of first gear has half-time approaches, and they believe they had a good case for a penalty for a foul on Gusto by Bakwa. The winger got himself in a tangle and had his arm wrapped around Gusto's leg as he fell. VAR waves it away.
03:41pm
Enterprising play from Joao Pedro, driving into the box from the left flank and beating Cunha a little too easily, but he goes down under the challenge of Yates after minimal contact. Forest's captain tells him to get up and the away team have a goal kick.
03:39pm
More concerted pressure from Chelsea, trying to work their way through the heart of Forest's defence at the edge of the area but the visitors close off all the gaps. Chelsea corner, from which Yates is fouled and Forest can clear their lines.
03:37pm
Close to a Forest third! Well-worked corner, set up for McAtee to shoot first time, but his effort hit his own man Morato and deflected over the bar. Forest's best chance of securing the points is to score the third and fourth, they look more than capable.
03:35pm
Derry with a shot through legs, but it was easy enough for Sels. Half-hearted appeals for a Chelsea penalty a few moments earlier, but Fernandez's deflected shot hit Morata in the face. Never a handball. Forest break forward and win a corner.
03:33pm
Forest continue to look a threat when they do come forward, playing off Awoniyi who has been excellent. Jesus with a well-struck volley on the turn from the edge of the box but it was straight at Sanchez.
Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane might be regretting his decision to have given his players three days off after the FA Cup semi-final victory. Some of them went to Madrid and, quite frankly, their minds look anywhere other than on the job in hand. There have already been some boos from the home fans.
03:31pm
Ryan Yates taking a bit of a chance, handing off Derry inside the box and the Chelsea youngster receives some treatment on his eye. No suggestion VAR is going to seriously review the incident. Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Martinez are sat next to each other in the stands.
03:29pm
Forest are settled in their defensive shape, and looking fairly comfortable at the moment. Derry positive with a dribble into the box, that at least induced a cry of encouragement from the Stamford Bridge crowd. Lavia's shot from distance is blocked.
03:26pm
Jesse Derry tries an ambitious volley from long range which flies over the bar. Fans are always enthused by youngsters in the team, but this has been less than the ideal game to blood him so far, and he is not surrounded by too much experience.
03:23pm
The Chelsea corner was taken short, and Gusto has just shanked a cross behind for a Forest goal kick.
03:22pm
More possession in Forest's defensive third for Chelsea now, time is the thing they have on their side in this game? Netz does well to win a throw-in off Palmer, though, but the Chelsea man comes back at him to win a corner.
03:17pm
This is a disaster for Chelsea and just to rub salt into their wounds, Dilane Bakwa, who has supplied the crosses for the goal and the penalty, was signed by Forest from Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg.
03:15pm
What a start for Nottingham Forest, Pereira's team selection now looking like a masterstroke.
Jesus lifts the penalty straight down the middle, and Sanchez dived early.
Another shoddy showing from Chelsea so far, Gusto can have no complaints about the penalty decision.
03:14pm
As expected, Taylor being sent to the monitor means penalty. Just a yellow card for Gusto though, perhaps because the striker was not certain to reach the cross. That's the one saving grace for Chelsea.
Igor Jesus to take.
Malo Gusto was penalised for this shirt pull - Sky Sports
03:13pm
Huge appeals for a Forest penalty! Chelsea and Malo Gusto might well be in trouble here. Bakwa floats another dangerous cross in, and Gusto has a chunk of Awoniyi's shirt. That is blatant.
Nothing give on the pitch, but Taylor has been sent across to the screen by VAR... is that also a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity?
03:12pm
Enzo Fernandez hits the post with a low shot from outside the area! Just not enough whip on the ball to sneak inside the post. Fernandez looks Chelsea's most likely route to goal.
03:09pm
Lovely touch from Igor Jesus, before Bakwa draws a foul from Cucurella. The Forest winger has the beating of the left-back, causing plenty of problems so far. Sanchez with a pass that just about reaches Gusto, causing some anxiety in the crowd.
Chelsea break forward though, and Morato is booked for pulling back Joao Pedro.
03:07pm
Teasing cross from Enzo Fernandez, just too far in front of Cole Palmer at the back post. Palmer is starting on the right of Chelsea's attack today, but he will not stay there. Expect him to drift inside and leave space for Malo Gusto on the overlap.
03:05pm
Such a dozy start from Chelsea, Forest having all of the ball and the territory so far. Winning the FA Cup semi-final does not look to have given Chelsea a new lease of life. Forest sharp and first to everything so far.
If anybody thought Forest, with all their changes, were here to make up the numbers, then they were sadly mistaken. What a start by the visitors and this is the opposite to how Villa started against Spurs yesterday. The Forest fans are singing about Istanbul, the venue of the Europa League final.
03:03pm
It had been a bright start from Forest and they lead inside the first two minutes. Nice touch in midfield from McAtee to find Yates, before Bakwa beats Cucurella a little too easily on the right flank. The winger stands up an inviting cross to the back post, and the big centre-forward planted a header beyond Sanchez. That's one way to put a stop to all the rotation talk.
03:00pm
Forest get the game started. Chelsea looking to stop the rot after five consecutive league defeats.
02:59pm
Chelsea will line up with 18-year-old Jesse Derry on the left, a player Calum McFarlane has worked with before.
02:51pm
02:47pm
The central defender makes his first squad since tearing his cruciate ligament just before the start of the season. He has been a a major miss, Chelsea fans will be delighted to see him back.
Chelsea's Levi Colwill has missed almost the whole season - Andrew Couldridge/Reuters
02:35pm
I have to balance this game and the next one, because the next one is in three days, also important for us. Try to balance the team and the squad. Change the players, but keep the spirit.
02:31pm
02:21pm
Plenty of dicussion about Unai Emery's rotation yesterday, and Forest have also left some big guns on the bench.
Forest are just three points above West Ham, and their final three fixtures are Newcastle (H), Manchester United (A) and Bournemouth (H). The allure of beating Aston Villa to reach a Europa League final is obvious, but they are not out of the woods just yet. West Ham's fixtures are tough, with Arsenal (H) and Newcastle (A) next but Forest will not want to rely on them losing.
02:03pm
CHELSEA XI TO FACE FOREST: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Lavia, Palmer, Derry, Fernandez, Joao Pedro.
FOREST XI TO FACE CHELSEA: Sels, Abbott, Morato, Jair Cunha, Netz, Yates, McAtee, Dominguez, Bakwa, Igor Jesus, Awoniyi
So the visitors have rung the changes but, on the bench are key men such as Chris Wood, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.
02:00pm
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has followed Unai Emery's lead and rested his big players ahead of Thursday night's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa.
Emery has been accused of chucking the game against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday by making seven changes to his team, but Pereira has trumped him by making eight changes from the first leg for today's trip to Chelsea.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, along with Chris Wood, are on the substitutes' bench, but Pereira has not been rattled by Tottenham's victory meaning they are only three points above the relegation zone.
Teenage winger Jesse Derry has been handed his first Premier League start for Chelsea, with neither Alejandro Garnacho or Pedro Neto on the bench. Levi Colwill and Reece James have returned from injury to the substitutes' bench.
Garnacho will sit (lie) this one out today - Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
01:48pm
01:47pm
01:46pm
Both sides want and need a win, but for very different reasons.
Chelsea have lost five Premier League matches in a row for the first time since 1993, they are without a manager and to top it all off, haven't scored during those five sorry defeats, some thing that hasn't happened since 1912. In short, the club is in trouble and not in the usual Stamford Bridge sense of crisis, they are in actual real disarray.
Today's hosts lie in ninth, four points off Bournemouth in sixth and in danger of not securing European football next season.
Their opponents come into today's match in contrasting form. Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their past six league matches and have scored nine goals in their past two as they try and secure their top-flight safety.
Their 5-0 win against Sunderland secured back-to-back Premier League wins for only the second time this season, and for the first time under Vitor Pereira. Another today at Stamford Bridge would mean a third in a row for the first time last season and go a long way to ensuring they remain in the top flight for another campaign.
The good news for Chelsea is that Cole Palmer could make his first start since a minor hamstring setback left him on the sidelines.
"It has been a difficult period for him," interim Chelsea manager Calum McFarlane said. "It is the first injury he has pretty much ever had in his career.
"There are obviously games he can impact more, but there have also been plenty of occasions where he has created good chances for others. He can't control whether those chances are finished - he can only put the ball where it needs to be.
"He's had some really good games over the past three months. It is just a case of building consistency, so overall I'm really pleased with him.
"He is still a top, top player - one of the best in the world. I've got no concerns about him being ready to impact games from now until the end of the season, and hopefully in the World Cup in the big moments for England."
Stay here for all the team news and action, with kick-off set for 3pm.
