Nottingham Forest 1 Chelsea 1 : Awoniyi fails to extend goalscoring run, Chukwuemeka returns

Chelsea have a difficult task to qualify for the 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League despite half of the season still to be played. 

The Blues were forced to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on New Year's Day.  

Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi started and was in action for 88 minutes, Emmanuel Dennis remained rooted to the bench for the entirety of the game, and Carney Chukwuemeka, the teenage midfielder signed from Aston Villa, came off the bench in the 87th minute for his fourth Premier League appearance this term. 

The England U20 international of Nigerian descent played his first game for Chelsea since October 22, having recovered from a hamstring injury. 

Awoniyi, who scored in all league home games he started prior to the visit of Chelsea, couldn't extend the run but gave a good account of himself. 

The Super Eagles striker found the net in his previous starts at the City Ground against West Ham United, Fulham and Liverpool.

In a game of two halves, Chelsea were in charge at the break thanks to Raheem Sterling, who finished from close range after Kai Havertz' flick hit the crossbar. 

Serge Aurier was the unlikely hero for Nottingham Forest as he salvaged a point that seemed so unlikely at halftime,  with a 63rd minute equaliser. 

The Ivory Coast international got the ball under control, hit it into the ground and under Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea are eighth in the Premier League standings with 25 points from sixteen matches, while the draw was not enough for  Nottingham Forest to get out of the drop zone. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : nottinghamforest.co.uk

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