Levi Colwill’s second-half strike secured Chelsea’s return to the Champions League after a three-year absence, as they edged Nottingham Forest 1-0 on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season.
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea clinched fourth place with 69 points in a fiercely competitive race for European spots, while Forest, who had their own Champions League hopes in their strongest campaign in decades, ended up seventh with 65 points.
The breakthrough came in the 50th minute when Forest defender Neco Williams struggled to clear a header.
Pedro Neto seized the opportunity and poked the ball across goal for Colwill to calmly finish into an empty net, sparking wild celebrations from Chelsea fans behind Matz Sels’ goal.
Colwill reflected on the achievement, saying, “Amazing, we’ve grinded it out all season and today for these fans, we hope they’re happy and get to see some Champions League next season.”
He added, “We did it and we’re proud, as a club, we’re back where we should be.”
Nottingham Forest had a last-gasp chance to salvage a point when Chris Wood connected with a superb cross from Sels, but his close-range chip sailed over the bar, drawing groans from the home supporters.
Though Chelsea’s goal appeared to deflate Forest, the club’s season was still a remarkable success.
Predicted to fight relegation, Nuno Espirito Santo’s guidance had them among the Premier League’s top five for much of the campaign, dreaming of a return to Europe’s premier club competition after more than 40 years.
Levi Colwill’s goal not only sealed Champions League qualification for Chelsea but also marked a return to European football for Forest, who will compete in the Conference League next season—their first European outing since the 1995-96 season.
From the first whistle, the game promised excitement, and the City Ground crowd delivered with passionate support. Neto missed a key chance in the first half, firing high after a neat cross from Cole Palmer.
Forest nearly equalized just before halftime when Ola Aina whipped in a perfect cross that Wood flicked just over the bar.
After the final whistle, Chelsea players stayed on the pitch, some with tears, to show appreciation to their fans following a promising first season under Maresca.
Chelsea also look ahead to the Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday.
Despite the loss, Forest supporters lingered to celebrate a historic season that saw their team become the first in Premier League history to double their points tally from the previous campaign.
Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who underwent emergency surgery two weeks ago after an abdominal injury sustained during their 2-2 draw with Leicester City, received a warm ovation when he appeared on the pitch to acknowledge the fans, though he did not feature in Sunday’s match.
