Shortly after the final whistle had blown on a cool Saturday afternoon at Stamford Bridge, Nottingham Forest’s players walked over to their supporters and formed a mutual show of appreciation. It was also a mutual show of belief. Yes Forest could, and probably should, have won, but in that moment there was a clear, collective understanding that a point at Chelsea – even this Chelsea – is not to be sniffed at and may well prove crucial in this tightest of relegation scraps.
A 2-2 draw combined with the one at Elland Road a few hours earlier meant Forest ended the day as they had started it – 16th and three points above the bottom three. A small cushion but a cushion nevertheless and with only two games remaining this season the maths has become simple for Steve Cooper’s side – one more victory all but secures safety. Hence the rousing, raucous love-in down by the Shed End and talk afterwards from Serge Aurier and Taiwo Awoniyi of Arsenal’s visit on Saturday and the final‑day trip to Crystal Palace being akin to cup finals.
