Chelsea's five-game winning run in all tournaments came to an end with a 1-1 Premier League draw against 10-man Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge, in what was one of the most entertaining low-scoring stalemates in recent memory.
After a goalless but gripping first 45, Chris Wood poked Nuno Espirito Santo's side into the lead before Noni Madueke's swift reply, and the Garibaldi had to hold on for almost half an hour with a numerical advantage after James Ward-Prowse's dismissal.
Both sides were given 13 minutes of added time to try to find that all-important second, but after a chaotic late innings where both Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels pulled off some astounding saves, the spoils were split with 105 minutes on the board.
As prolific as Chelsea had been in front of goal leading up to Sunday's showdown, the Blues were set to have their work cut out against a Forest side who had conceded a joint-low 18 shots on target in their opening six Premier League games.
It was not for the want of trying for Enzo Maresca's troops in one of the more watchable goalless 45 minutes of football, where a total of 15 shots were fired - nine from the hosts - but the sturdy Tricky Trees were holding firm.
Forest's defensive endeavours were rewarded just four minutes after the restart, where Chelsea were undone by a Ward-Prowse set-piece, as the Englishman's free kick was headed across goal by Nikola Milenkovic for Wood to prod home.
A Forest goal was evidently the catalyst that Chelsea needed to find a killer touch of their own, though, as Madueke brought the hosts level a matter of moments later, before Morgan Gibbs-White hobbled off in a worry for both club and country.
Things went from bad to worse for Forest when Ward-Prowse - who boasted two goals and two assists from his previous four games against Chelsea - was sent off for handball while already on a booking, his second career red card at Stamford Bridge.
Ward-Prowse's exit preceded injury-time bedlam, where both sides had multiple chances to clinch maximum points, but Sels and Sanchez earned their keep as the Blues remain fourth in the table, while Forest temporarily rise above Brighton & Hove Albion into ninth.
CHELSEA VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
Chris Wood goal vs. Chelsea (49th min, Chelsea 0-1 Nottingham Forest)
© Imago
A turn up for the books right at the start of the second half, and Chelsea are punished for not making their first-half dominance count!
A Forest free kick near the centre circle is pumped into the area by James Ward-Prowse, and Nikola Milenkovic peels away from Malo Gusto and Madueke to head the ball across for Wood, who manages to toe-poke it home into the far side of the net.
Noni Madueke goal vs. Nottingham Forest (57th min, Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest)
Gameweek seven has been one for comeback victories - are we about to see another one at Stamford Bridge?
Forest's lead is wiped out after just eight minutes, as Cole Palmer knocks the ball to Madueke on the right flank, and the 22-year-old cuts inside before letting fly with his left boot, and his low strike finds its way into the corner.
On the replay, it appears that Matz Sels did get a hand to Madueke's drive, but he was unsighted by a few bodies in his way and could only push the winger's effort into the side of the goal.
James Ward-Prowse red card vs. Chelsea (77th min, Chelsea 1-1 Forest)
© Imago
From hero to zero, Ward-Prowse - who played a key part in Wood's goal and is no stranger to one of his own against Chelsea - picks up the most deserved second yellow we will see all season long.
The midfielder - who was booked in the first half - fails to trap the ball under his foot, and the alert Nicolas Jackson is about to run clean through on goal before a desperate Ward-Prowse deliberately handles the ball.
Chris Kavanagh is left with no choice, and Forest are down to 10 for the final 15.
MAN OF THE MATCH - NONI MADUEKE
© Imago
A word for Milenkovic, Sels and Sanchez, but the effervescent Madueke spearheaded the Chelsea response and got his reward with a terrific run and goal, albeit with a literal helping hand from the Forest goalkeeper.
Before his late change, Madueke was a serious threat all afternoon - totalling seven shots, three key passes and three successful dribbles - although he could have easily bagged two or three had he been a tad more ruthless in front of goal.
CHELSEA VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Chelsea 67%-33% Forest
Shots: Chelsea 22-16 Forest
Shots on target: Chelsea 8-9 Forest
Corners: Chelsea 11-3 Forest
Fouls: Chelsea 12-11 Forest
BEST STATS
Chris Wood is now one of only five players to have scored 10+ Premier League goals away from home since the start of last season.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 6, 2024
Erling Haaland - 16
Matheus Cunha - 11
Ollie Watkins - 11
Dominic Solanke - 10
Chris Wood - 10 pic.twitter.com/nlGmfXSNMH
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea can look forward to a Sunday blockbuster after the international break, as the Blues will pit their wits against Liverpool at Anfield on October 20, four days before a trip to Panathinaikos in the Conference League.
Meanwhile, Forest are back in action in Monday night football, welcoming Crystal Palace to the City Ground on October 21.
Ben Knapton
