Levi Colwill’s second-half strike secured Chelsea 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, sealing their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Despite the defeat, Forest qualified for the UEFA Conference League, marking a successful campaign following their top-flight return three years ago.
The decisive goal ensured Enzo Maresca’s men finished fourth in the Premier League, dashing Forest’s hopes of reaching Europe’s elite competition. Chelsea can now prepare for Europe’s top table with clarity on transfer plans, which Maresca had said depended on their qualification status.
Victory also offered Chelsea momentum ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis in Poland.
For Forest, the result was bittersweet. Having flirted with the top four for much of the season, just two wins in their last eight games saw them slip to seventh. Still, it marks progress after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day last season.
Pedro Neto and Chris Wood missed first-half chances before Colwill struck from close range five minutes into the second half. Forest, winless in their last four home matches, pushed late on but lacked quality, with Wood blasting over in stoppage time.
