Chelsea conceded at Stamford Bridge and fell to a 3–1 defeat by Nottingham Forest on Monday, a result that underlined a season slipping out of their control. The Blues ended a nine-hour wait for a Premier League goal with João Pedro’s acrobatic strike in stoppage time, but that consolation did little to alter the match’s narrative.

Nottingham Forest struck twice in quick succession. Igor Jesus converted from the spot after a VAR-recommended review following Malo Gusto’s shirt pull on Taiwo Awoniyi, and Awoniyi added a second at the start of the second half following a dangerous delivery from Dilane Bakwa and good work from Morgan Gibbs-White. Cole Palmer had a first-half penalty saved by Matz Sels, and João Pedro briefly had a goal ruled out for offside before scoring his late overhead kick.

The defeat drops Chelsea to ninth and extends a run of six straight defeats for the first time since 1993. Nottingham Forest are described in the report as practically safe. The assessment for the Blues was blunt: poor defending, ill-discipline and costly moments under VAR scrutiny.

Individual ratings reflected a mixed performance. Enzo Fernández (7.7) and João Pedro (7.7) were the highest-rated performers, while Marc Cucurella received 7.5. Malo Gusto’s shirt pull and overall defending featured in the match’s decisive moments; the full list of ratings in the report ranged from Robert Sánchez (5.8) to Cucurella and included several midrange scores across the back line and midfield.

Substitutions included Liam Delap (45’) and Levi Colwill (46’), with Filip Jörgensen coming on at 66’. Several players were unused on the bench, including Jorrel Hato, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Dário Essugo and Reece James. The report concluded with statistics that showed Chelsea dominating possession (68%) and attempts (21 shots) but falling short on the day; expected goals were 1.93 for Chelsea and 2.07 for Forest.

With domestic cup progress now a vital objective, the result leaves Chelsea facing a critical period in which form must improve quickly.

Chelsea face Nottingham Forest on Monday with a depleted wide line after injuries and a suspension reduced their senior options. Estêvão is recently injured and Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, leaving the Blues light on experienced wingers.

Interim boss Calum McFarlane did not disclose any specific problems for Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho during his prematch press conference, so their absence from the matchday squad came as a surprise. According to Nizaar Kinsella, Neto and Garnacho are both battling knocks. While neither is expected to need long on the sidelines, they were not deemed fit enough to play in Monday’s big game.

That situation has forced McFarlane into selection adjustments. Cole Palmer gets the nod on the right wing, a tactical choice that is not particularly unusual, while 18-year-old Jesse Derry is handed his first senior start for the club.

Derry’s promotion will be welcomed by supporters who have been keen to see the teenager given more minutes, particularly as Chelsea’s senior alternatives have struggled to make a consistent impact. Gittens’s injury struggles have left him unable to win over his new supporters, while Garnacho’s impressive work rate has been countered by an underwhelming end product that has sparked suggestions he could leave the club this summer.

Like Garnacho, Derry joined Chelsea last summer, signing from the Crystal Palace academy. The 18-year-old has impressed at youth level, scoring six goals in 17 PL2 appearances and adding five goals in eight UEFA Youth League matches.

McFarlane will hope the blend of Cole Palmer’s experience on the wing and Derry’s youth spark can offset the temporary losses. Neto and Garnacho remain part of the squad long term, but Chelsea will be without both for this fixture as they manage short-term knocks.

Calum McFarlane has publicly defended Cole Palmer amid a season in which the Chelsea forward’s output has fallen well short of his earlier campaigns. McFarlane described the situation as largely down to fitness and adaptation rather than a loss of form, and he backed Palmer to play a decisive role from now until the end of the season and into the World Cup.

Palmer has 10 goals across all competitions this term, compared with 18 the previous season and 27 under Mauricio Pochettino. His overall goal contributions have declined sharply from 42 in his debut season and 32 in Enzo Maresca’s first year to just 13 this campaign. In the Premier League he has provided only one assist, and of his nine league goals five have been penalties.

McFarlane pointed to the impact of a groin problem diagnosed as pubalgia after Palmer pulled out of the warm-up before Chelsea’s second game. The manager noted the player’s recent progress and his struggle with basic actions early in the season. Palmer himself admitted in April that he was only just starting to feel comfortable shooting again, and sprinting was also a challenge for the 23-year-old.

“It’s been a difficult period for Cole,” McFarlane stressed. “He’s had his first injury that he’s pretty much ever had in his career and he’s had to learn how to deal with that.

“I don’t agree with the narrative that he isn’t playing well. There are obviously games where he can impact more but there have also been a lot of occasions where he’s created a lot of good chances for players. He can’t control whether that’s finished.

“It’s just a case of building that consistency. I’m really pleased with Cole. He shows us his talent every single day, his energy and his enthusiasm to play. He’s still a top, top player, one of the best in the world. I have no concerns over Cole being ready to impact games from now to the end of the season, and hopefully in the World Cup, in big moments for England.”

Statistically Palmer is still creating 1.23 chances per 90, though 78 players in the division have produced more and five teammates have created more opportunities. Navigating injury and tactical changes under Liam Rosenior has been difficult, and McFarlane has indicated he will lean on Maresca’s principles to find stability and restore Palmer’s influence.