Chelsea

Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday (12:30 BST), with both sides looking for a late-season lift.

Reds hope to avoid landmark defeat

Liverpool's place in next season's Champions League could be confirmed this weekend, which would bring some relief in what has been a difficult campaign, one that captain Virgil van Dijk says has been "very disappointing" and "unacceptable".

Last weekend's defeat at Manchester United meant Liverpool's old foes had done the double over the Reds for the first time in a decade. Liverpool finished 42 points clear of United last season but look set to finish behind them in 2025-26.

It also meant Arne Slot's side have suffered 18 defeats in all competitions this season, the most since they lost 19 in 2009-10. Another defeat would be only the fourth time that Liverpool have lost more than 18 games in a campaign since 1962.

But they do now have the chance to bounce back against another big rival in the shape of a woefully out-of-form Chelsea, who have won on just one of their last 10 Premier League visits to Anfield, a 1-0 victory in March 2021.

Arne Slot said recently that the summer represented the start of a new cycle and he has a lot of things to sort out.

They include how to bolster a defence that has conceded two or more goals in 16 different Premier League matches this season, their second-highest such figure.

Chelsea's goal search

Bar an upturn in form and a helping hand from Aston Villa, Chelsea's minimum pre-season target of Champions League football will be missed.

Any hope that FA Cup semi-final success would permeate into their league form was quashed with their lacklustre home defeat by Nottingham Forest on Monday, described by interim boss Calum McFarlane as "massively disappointing".

It's now six league defeats in a row for Chelsea – another at Liverpool means they will equal their worst-ever such run of seven in a row, set in 1952.

The problems have come at both ends. They have scored just once in their last six games - Joao Pedro's injury-time consolation against Forest - which ended a run of 565 minutes without a league goal.

The Brazilian striker is Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions with 20 goals but it is in the league where his 15 goals have been most vital, given the lack of contribution from most of his team-mates, bar Cole Palmer.

Joao Pedro has been directly involved in seven of the Blues' past nine league goals, scoring six and assisting one. He and Palmer have scored 10 of Chelsea's last 11 league goals, with the other coming from an own goal.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Chelsea have conceded in each of their last 13 league games, letting in three goals in four of their past five.

The Blues need to arrest their alarming league form or they are in danger of suffering their worst league finish this century, which was when they were 12th in 2022-23, the first season under current owners BlueCo.

Liverpool still look like they will finish in the Champions League places even after their defeat by Manchester United last time out, but that result was the latest disappointment in what has been a poor season by their standards.

Chelsea have bigger problems, however. It is all falling apart for them and, after six straight league defeats, they are down in ninth place and absolutely desperate for a result here.

I just don't see them getting anything at Anfield though. Cole Palmer looks a shadow of the player we know he is and they are struggling defensively too.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Saturday's early kick-off at Anfield pits two of English football's behemoths against one another.

Such status feels a little diminished however in a season where both Liverpool and Chelsea have flattered to deceive.

Consider Chelsea's current run of form - losing each of their last six Premier League games. Only once in their league history have they ever lost seven in a row, doing so in November/December 1952.

On the other side of the pitch, Liverpool have lost 11 Premier League matches, their most since the 2014-15 campaign under Brendan Rodgers, when they lost 12. The Reds have also lost 18 in all competitions, last losing more in 2009-10 (19).

It makes for ugly reading on both sides.

Defensively there are shared issues.

Chelsea have conceded in each of their last 13 Premier League games, shipping three goals in four of their last five. They last had a longer run without a league clean sheet between March and August 1991 (17).

To capture how long it has been since the Blues have had such a consistent run of conceding, Bryan Adams topped the UK charts with '(Everything I Do) I Do It for You' as that 17-game run was ending.

The Reds meanwhile have conceded two or more goals in 16 different Premier League matches this season – only in 2012-13 have they done so more often in a campaign (17 games).

So there you have it - big-name clubs making a mess of things at the moment.

A fixture which once lit up Champions League semi-finals on an almost annual basis now looks more like one where salvaging some pride is the order of the day.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham are in the dark over Marco Silva's future at Craven Cottage but remain keen to keep him, with a three‑year offer understood to still be on the table.

The 48‑year‑old is known to be among several candidates under consideration for the vacant head coach role at Chelsea despite having been offered a new deal in November.

Silva says he continues to need time to weigh up his decision as the Blues consider a list of options, which is understood to include former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

Those who know Silva personally say he has ambitions to manage at the highest level, although he has also shown loyalty by rejecting multiple approaches from Saudi clubs.

It has left Fulham in the dark over the situation, but the club are understood to have contingency plans in place and have sounded out a number of alternative options.

However, their preferred outcome would be to retain Silva, who is understood to have a positive relationship with the club's ownership.

It leaves Fulham facing uncertainty, but also the prospect of a more favourable position than rivals Bournemouth, who know Andoni Iraola will leave at the end of the season, as the sides meet on Sunday while competing for European qualification.

Against that backdrop, Silva gave his most candid interview yet in his native Portuguese to DAZN last week, saying: "The club has been clear with us about its intention for us to stay here for more years."

He added that his focus remains on Fulham's final three matches as they seek to qualify for Europe, and that he would reflect on the season before making a final decision on his future.

When asked, Silva also did not rule out a return to Portuguese football, with Benfica coach Jose Mourinho linked with the vacant managerial role at Real Madrid.

Image source, Getty Images

Success in Europe for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace has a knock-on impact on what Premier League finish may be required to qualify for continental competition next season.

A host of clubs can still dream of a European adventure but the picture is ever changing.

Given the complexity, BBC Sport has unpicked the latest permutations on what might be required to play in Europe next season

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at Anfield (12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• McFarlane is "hopeful" Levi Colwill and Reece James will be fit to feature at Anfield: "We have a few lads returning. Levi has trained a full week again. Reece as well. Looking promising. We've still got another session. We're hopeful."

• Robert Sanchez will miss the trip after his clash of heads with Morgan Gibbs-White in Monday's home defeat by Nottingham Forest, while Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are "carrying knocks so it looks like they will be unavailable".

• On teenager Jesse Derry, who sustained a head injury on his Premier League debut against Forest: "It's positive. I don't have the knowledge or insights to go into detail, but early signs are positive."

• Reflecting on the 3-1 loss, McFarlane said: "It's down to all of us. We reviewed the game and we made some big mistakes in the opening 15 minutes. You can't do this at this level. Especially with our form, it hurts us a little bit more, but you can't make those mistakes. We need to make sure it doesn't happen again."

• He was asked about Jamie Carragher's comments on Sky Sports, saying Chelsea, as a club, is "broken": "Jamie's job is a pundit - he's got to give his opinion and I respect that. I can only speak on my experience at the club and there's a lot of foundations to have success."

• On raising themselves for the rest of the season: "We've got four games left - we need to attack each one and show our level, We haven't done that all season but we need to put ourselves in the position to achieve that."

• Asked how he is finding Chelsea's current position personally, McFarlane said: "It's tough. Nobody likes losing games of football but I'm enjoying and embracing the challenge. If we win, I enjoy it. If we don't, I'm frustrated and angry like everyone else."

• On fan frustrations: "We want to turn it around. We know we're not meeting the standards this club has set at the moment. I completely understand the feeling. We are as disappointed and frustrated as they are. We need to be much better in those moments. The performances haven't been good enough."

• On Liverpool: "They're a really good side with a lot of good players. We also have a lot of good players. We are focused on ourselves."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Chelsea? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) says it "overwhelmingly rejects" the club's proposed changes to its ballot system.

Some of the measures were "sensible and long overdue", the CST said in a statement, external, but added the proposals lacked detail and called on Chelsea to "pause" and "re‑evaluate" changes to the digital ticketing system introduced this season, in line with Premier League rules, external.

It follows Chelsea's announcement on Wednesday that it will introduce what the club describes as a "ticket application window", which the CST characterises as a ballot allowing members with a minimum number of loyalty points to apply for tickets.

Some Chelsea members perceive the proposal as unfair or insufficiently detailed, with concerns it could allow access to tickets for supporters with fewer loyalty points.

The ballot is just one of a number of changes, which also include:

• All ticket holders being required to undergo ID checks in an effort to curb touting.

• Loyalty points being awarded only for attending men's first‑team home matches, rather than simply purchasing a ticket.

• Season‑ticket holders being required to attend at least 13 Premier League home games (out of 19).

• Changes to away ticketing, ticket exchanges and allocations in the family stand.

Chelsea say the policies are designed to improve the atmosphere and access to tickets for genuine supporters, while reducing touting - an issue that particularly affects the club as a so‑called 'big six' side playing in a London stadium with a capacity of around 40,000.

The club has previously said it blocks up to 80,000 bots per match from its online ticketing system and has increased investment in that area.

There has yet to be any update on ticket pricing for next season.

When asked for comment, a Chelsea spokesperson told BBC Sport: "Over recent months, the club has received feedback from fans regarding experiences with the existing ticketing system, including queues, inconsistencies and inflexible login times. We have listened to those concerns and are introducing a ticket application window to help address them.

"At Chelsea FC we want to keep improving the systems fans regularly use. Our priority is to ensure the process for supporters accessing tickets is fair, flexible and most importantly increases access for real fans to real tickets. The ticket application window - a system used by more than half of other Premier League clubs - will help to deliver this.

"The ticket application window will continue to reward loyalty and will provide new opportunities for fans to access tickets, making it one of the most supporter friendly approaches to a system of this kind."

They added they will "continue to work with the Fan Advisory Board to ensure these changes are delivered smoothly and will continue take onboard supporter feedback".

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Some of you have been in touch using the Ask Me Anything form located on the menu at the top of your club page.

We've received questions around the ticket allocation for the FA Cup final.

Eyebrows were raised among some Chelsea and Manchester City fans when they found out their allocation for the showpiece.

Both teams have been allocated 28,700 for the Wembley fixture – over 2,000 fewer than City and Crystal Palace were given 12 months ago.

The finalists do tend to get an extra batch of tickets as the match approaches – both clubs did last season.

BBC Sport understands this will exceed 30,000 for both clubs.

Yet last season, Pep Guardiola's men ended up with 33,467 tickets.

That still leaves about 30,000 tickets outside of those given to clubs for the match on 16 May.

The number of tickets which do not go to supporters of the two teams always tends to raise questions.

These get divided among the 'football family' – volunteers, County FAs, local clubs and charities. Experiences by Wembley members get tickets as usual too.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

Arsenal and Barcelona are interested in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, though they face competition from Manchester City. (Teamtalk, external)

Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke, 25, with Tottenham also targeting the Netherlands centre-back. (Teamtalk, external)

Meanwhile, Blues defender Wesley Fofana has been offered to Barcelona by his representatives. (Sky France, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

"We don't care about Clearlake, they don't care about us."

Amid growing anger from Chelsea's fans towards the club's BlueCo ownership, that chant has become the anthem of this campaign.

Monday's dismal 3-1 defeat by second-string Nottingham Forest in the Premier League means the Blues can no longer finish fifth - and are highly unlikely to meet their minimum pre‑season aim of qualifying for the Champions League.

It appears the moment of reckoning has arrived for BlueCo, who are now the target of an increasingly irate fanbase.

While the Clearlake chant only targets one arm of the ownership, it is part of a wider disconnect between supporters and the club, amid the search for a sixth permanent manager in four years after Liam Rosenior was sacked last month.

There is also a perceived lack of effort from players and dissatisfaction with ticketing policies.

Chelsea's most recent accounts showed a £262m Premier League-record pre-tax loss and Uefa continues to monitor the club under a settlement agreement from last summer that will regulate spending on players.

It is against that backdrop that BlueCo - the holding company owned by Todd Boehly and his allies, along with majority investor Clearlake - are on trial with supporters.

At the thick end is Not A Project CFC, a fringe but growing fan movement who are calling for major change - and have announced two further protests.

Chelsea have incentive-based contracts that include bonuses for Champions League qualification and believe they are broadly in line with the market.

This is reflected in the club having the third-highest wage bill in their latest accounts for the 2024-25 season. However, they have been outbid by rivals on occasion, including in the deal that saw Marc Guehi join Manchester City in January.

The pace of player trading has left some fans feeling cold. In an excerpt from his column in the CFCUK fanzine, founding editor Dave Johnson said: "Any rapport between the players and the supporters... to my mind at least, is at an all-time low.

"Ask any supporter of a certain age and they will tell you that, from the late 1960s, every player picked for the Chelsea team got their name chanted during the warm-up and they, in turn, responded with an acknowledgement.

"These days though, and much to their detriment, the current crop of players appear wholly detached from the people in the stands."

• Read the full article

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

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'If I was a young player why would I sign for Chelsea?'

Those were the words of former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports after Chelsea's dismal home defeat by Nottingham Forest on Monday.

He was revisiting the claim he made almost two years ago in the summer of 2024 that "players have got to stop signings for Chelsea", after another chaotic transfer window in which the Blues signed 12 players for around £230m - including the fee eventually paid to Manchester United to avoid making the loan signing of Jadon Sancho permanent.

What, if anything, has changed since then?

"My point is, if you're continually buying and selling players you can never create a connection as a team," Carragher said on Monday.

"They buy two wingers every year, so the two they buy the year before - how do they feel?

"How can they build a connection between supporters, players and staff? It's not there."

Last summer in the 2025 summer window, a year on from Carragher's initial claim, the Blues spent around £293m on 10 new additions - including the loan fee paid for Facundo Buonanotte who departed in January.

They actually signed three new wingers; Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Estevao Willian.

It is hard to see Esevao as anything other than a successful investment with the teenager displaying his clear superstar potential in fits and starts during his debut campaign.

Garnacho and Gittens however, despite the latter being out with a hamstring injury since late January, have drawn criticism for their performances, with Garnacho in particular repeatedly linked with a move away already.

Blues fan Charlie Patrick told BBC Sport in January that the duo are "not good enough for Chelsea".

The graphics below show the Premier League minutes played by last summer's signings, excluding the aforementioned Buonanotte, Kendry Paez who was loaned back to Independiente and Mamadou Sarr who was loaned back to Strasbourg and recalled in January.

The fees exclude potentially substantial add-ons and are out of a potential of 3150 minutes.

Joao Pedro has unquestionably been a success, Estevao has shown his huge potential, and more recently Jorrel Hato has stood out in a struggling side, but it is hard to make a case for any of the other additions having even close to the impact that would have been hoped of them.

While at many clubs a second season would be where a signing's impact and fit is fully assessed, there is nothing currently to suggest Chelsea's owners are slowing down in their relentless pursuit of top young talent.

Therefore, none of these players will be confident that their already limited minutes will increase.

Not only is the connection referenced by Carragher not being established, negative crowd reactions, in particular recently to Garnacho and Delap, are actively damaging relations between squad and supporters.

Considering the already low hit rate, with Pedro Neto the only addition from the 2024 summer window established in the first team and still splitting opinion himself, Carragher's concern over why young players sign for Chelsea appears to be valid.

While long-term contracts with guaranteed wages hold an appeal, surely the lack of success stories will heed caution when the most ambitious talents are looking for their next destination.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The race for sixth place and European football continues to excite almost as much as the battle at the bottom between West Ham and Tottenham.

Like many people, I thought Nottingham Forest were close to disrespecting the competition by sending out a shadow team against Chelsea. That said, Chelsea right now are a ghostly outline of their former selves, and just about as easy to score against and play through as a spectre.

I am trying hard not to write about Chelsea again, but it is difficult to ignore what looks like an entire football club that has become dysfunctional. The painful thing is not that it was easy to see some of the problems emanating from the upper echelons of the club, it is the fact that I will be amazed if the correct decisions are made to rectify them, no matter how much of a "period of reflection" they decide to have.

Turkeys as they say, don't tend to vote heavily in favour of Christmas.

Former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez is under consideration by Chelsea to be their next manager. (Independent, external)

Want more stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The defeat for Chelsea on Monday against Nottingham Forest should not have surprised anyone. The Blues had lost their past five league games, and a sixth being added to that list always felt likely.

The win over Leeds at Wembley the week before gave supporters a shred of hope, but those who have been watching this team for the past two months always knew it was going to take much bigger changes than one somewhat fortunate win to stop this total collapse.

A winning culture at the club has become a losing culture.

There doesn't seem to be a player in the squad capable of holding their team-mates to a higher standard. The petulance they constantly show towards referees and opposition players is all the more embarrassing given how little effort they're willing to make when the ball is in play.

They go into games resigned that they might lose, without any fear of the consequences of those defeats. None of them fight for each other, or even for their personal pride.

The messages about working hard and "addressing problems" we hear in every news conference from manager after manager sound so hollow to us that we can only imagine how empty they sound to the players.

A top coach could change the psychology of the group for the better. But no top coach is going to take the job. There is a real possibility that Chelsea lose all of their remaining four games this season. The psychological damage is hard to overestimate.

There is a lot of talk about this being a "crucial" summer, but even the best-case scenario only really gets Chelsea back to where we were a year ago.

The glory days are long gone, and the players seem to have accepted that reality already.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney says top players at Chelsea like Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella are "letting themselves down" with their lack of leadership.

A second-string Nottingham Forest side inflicted Chelsea's sixth consecutive league defeat on Monday in their first Premier League match since Liam Rosenior was sacked.

"It was weird watching the second half of that game and the fans have left the stadium," he told the Wayne Rooney podcast.

"It almost looked like the fans didn't know who to have a go at.

"There wasn't a manager there to blame. It was clear they weren't having Liam Rosenior from the start which is a shame because he got judged way too early.

"It was quiet in Stamford Bridge and those players need to look at themselves. That's Marc Cucurella, that's Enzo Fernandez. It's alright coming out and being vocal about the manager but then go and perform. You have to perform.

"They are both top players but they are letting themselves down. They should be the leaders. They are the ones who have won the World Cup and European Championships with their countries so go and be a leader. But, they are not leading that team and being examples."

Since the current ownership took control in 2022, Chelsea have spent around £1.5bn on players, focusing on securing a raft of younger players on long-term contracts. However, the Blues are set to finish outside of the Champions League places for the third time in four full seasons.

"If you're 24 and getting an eight or nine year contract it's absolutely crazy," Rooney added.

"The money they spend and how they try and operate is absolutely crazy. For a player, you don't want to be tying yourself in for that long at that club. It's madness.

"Experience is key to any successful team and they have very young players who can be world class but when it's tough you need to draw on your reserves and when you have been in those moments before, a lot of those players haven't been through that and they have no experienced players to guide them through.

"With the owners, I'd put a bet on that they don't know too much about football. They are very good business people but there's no one there to give them guidance on football."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest:

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans:

Rob: Another terrible performance by inept players. No heart, no spirit, no desire, no effort, players just picking up wages with no consideration for the fans, the history, not even the pride of the club or badge. How have we sunk so low?

Phil: Atrocious, and that's a compliment. We had a week to prepare and Forest rested players but we did not turn up. No fight, no desire, simply the worst performance. The new manager will have a lot of work to do

Ben: Poor, insipid, uninspiring, toothless, flimsy, unacceptable, hopeless, tactically short-sighted and incompetent.

Marco: Disgraceful and shambolic - this club is rotten to the core. What is more shocking is that the players appear to have accepted mid-table mediocrity long before the fans did.

Paul: Absolute dross, no heart, no desire, no experience and lacking basic footballing knowledge. Owners should be ashamed of themselves. Football as I know and loved is dead, finished!

Tony: They don't deserve to be in Europe because they aren't good enough. The management of the club should come under massive scrutiny. They've had good managers and wouldn't listen to them.

Nottingham Forest fans:

Kris: Forest showing other teams how resting players should be done - praise be Big T and Jesus! Got to think we're safe now, and our thoughts can turn to getting the job done on Thursday. Sad to see Derry's game ended that way, hope he has a speedy recovery.

Steve: Another magic away day for Forest. Manager was bold with the team selection and it paid off. Everyone stepped up a gear. It's 10 unbeaten now. Bring on the Villa.

John: Superb performance. The team sheet looked as though Pereira was taking a bit of a chance but the team worked as a unit. Great credit to him and the players that this really is a squad club now.

Mossy: If only Nottingham Forest could keep this group of players together for another season. Chelsea were contained for 80 minutes until cramp and exhaustion took its toll, but they will be ready again on Thursday against Villa. Vitor will make sure of that.

Andy: A wonderful display. There's some poetry to this as our second string were pretty poor earlier in the season. Forest have found unbelievable form at just the right time.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Whoever Chelsea appoint as their next head coach - with former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva among those in contention - will have to navigate the forthcoming transfer window astutely.

In their recently published 2024-25 accounts, Chelsea reported a Premier League‑record £262m pre‑tax loss despite bringing in £490.9m in revenue - the club's second highest ever.

Following their triumph in last year's Club World Cup and a now rare season in the Champions League, Chelsea are predicting revenues will increase to £700m in next year's accounts.

However, forward Cole Palmer said in an interview this month that "everything changes" without Champions League football.

Chelsea earned approximately £78.9m in prize money for reaching the last 16 of European club football's premier competition this season compared to about £15m for winning the Conference League in 2025.

A conservative estimate would suggest those Champions League earnings rise beyond £100m when ticketing, hospitality and sponsorship revenue are included.

Accounts from parent company 22 Holdco Limited show transfer activity is a major factor behind the substantial losses, and the success of the men's team is a "clear driver" of revenues - while Chelsea are reliant on owner funding and loans to subsidise the club, which has long-term implications.

In the short term, Chelsea are bound by their Uefa settlement agreement after breaching their football earnings and squad cost rules in 2023-24.

The regulations stipulate Chelsea cannot record losses of more than than £52.2m once certain Uefa allowances are applied when filing their accounts at the end of June.

Any loss beyond that threshold would result in a fine of up to £17.4m, while losses exceeding £69.7m would trigger a one‑season ban from European competition, provided they qualify within three seasons following the breach.

That pressure continues into the 2028-29 season, with Uefa constantly monitoring Chelsea's situation.

• Read more: What does missing out on Champions League mean?

Chelsea are interested in Club Brugge's 22-year-old Ecuador defender Joel Ordonez, who was previously linked with a £43m move to Liverpool in January. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A near-unprecedented run of six consecutive defeats has left a top-five finish - seen as the minimum pre-season target - impossible.

Chelsea are now part of a congested mid-table group that includes Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Fulham, Everton and Sunderland, all competing for Europa League or Conference League qualification.

They can finish no higher than sixth. That position could yet be enough to secure Champions League football, but only if Aston Villa win the Europa League and end the season fifth, creating an additional qualification place.

Ultimately, Chelsea do not deserve to be in the Champions League on the basis of their recent performances. This six-match losing run is their longest since 1993 and only the fourth time in the club's history they have lost as many consecutive games.

It is therefore understandable that Chelsea's home supporters - witnessing a fourth successive home league defeat for only the second time - booed their side at full-time and chanted against the ownership.

As former manager Mauricio Pochettino said last week, there is a disconnect between the fans, the players and the club. A lack of managerial stability has compounded the issue, leaving Chelsea looking devoid of cohesion.

It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for Nottingham Forest to rest key players for an upcoming European fixture but still dominate Chelsea's strongest available starting XI in a Premier League match.

Yet that is precisely what happened. Chelsea lost any hope of a first clean sheet since mid-January after just two minutes and waited until the 93rd minute to score.

Indeed, it would be possible to watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy between Chelsea's previous league goal - at Aston Villa in early March - and their latest strike in this defeat, which were more than 550 playing minutes apart.

Chelsea remain in contention for silverware by reaching the FA Cup final, but their players looked crestfallen at full-time. Many joined the club with the expectation of regular Champions League football, yet on current form they may struggle to qualify for Europe at all.

Chelsea interim boss Callum McFarlane, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Massively disappointing - we know we are a lot better than what we showed today. I don't think we ever got to our level so very disappointing."

On Jesse Derry: "All signs are positive at the moment, so we're hopeful he's in a good condition and from what we've heard it's positive.

"Gutted for Jesse, I thought he did well in the game. He gave us a threat - a massive moment for him that has ended sadly."

On Robert Sanchez: "Robert positive as well. I hope the Forest players are in stable and good condition too."

On Joao Pedro: "Great finish, unlucky with the offside goal too, so good for him to get the goal, but it doesn't really mean anything right now.

"I've said it before, but we just need to improve on this performance and be ready for another game in five days."

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, speaking to Sky Sports: "From the beginning, we conceded too early and against Forest it's difficult to change the game. I think we should do better.

"We need to find a way to try to not do these mistakes every game. We need to start to win games. This is the Premier League and if you concede too early after that it's very difficult to come back.

"Everyone needs to look at themselves - me included. We need to find a way to do better. I feel sorry for the fans - tomorrow we will see what has gone wrong.

"It's difficult because I don't think it's about the coach. It's about the players, and it's on us to step up, me included. It's difficult to say something."

On whether Chelsea players realise they need to step up: "Yes, of course. We support the leaders [in the team]. We always talk to each other to find a way to win games. Last week we won against Leeds. This week it didn't happen, we need to find a way to win.

"The motivation is always there - today if we won we would be able to be in the Champions League. Now it will be more difficult, but we need to still fight for every game and for every point and see what we can achieve."

Did you know?

• Chelsea have lost six consecutive league games for the fourth time in their history, and for the first time since October/November 1993.

• João Pedro's goal – his 20th of the season in all competitions – ended Chelsea's run of 565 minutes without scoring in the Premier League. The Brazilian had also netted their last goal in the competition, at Aston Villa in March.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have released the following statement after Jesse Derry was substituted in the first half against Nottingham Forest after clashing heads with Forest's Zach Abbott:

"Chelsea FC can confirm Jesse Derry has been taken to hospital as a precaution following his first-half substitution during today's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.

"Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their swift response."