Nottingham Forest

Image source, PA Media

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "After a game like this and the things that happened on the pitches, we didn't achieve the dream.

"Our first half was really good, we created many problems and had chances but it wasn't enough. The anxiety in the last minutes didn't help us.

"We are proud and we go again. You know that one goal can change everything. the improvement of the players is huge, the platform of the club is good. If you ask me, it's a good season because of the commitment of the players.

"I have to thank the players for their commitment. When you give everything you have, you cannot say anything about it.

"We started well and controlled the game. Second half, we rushed and the anxiety didn't help us. It was not enough.

"They were good chances for us. It was there - we didn't achieve it. It's hard when it was in your hands in the end and it doesn't go your way.

"There are many things that happen during the season. It is not always possible to be better than the other teams. We wanted to go for the game today so the boys did well. It is a tough competition.

"All the circumstances that happened didn't help, but that is not an excuse. I felt we were there. I'm very proud of the boys and all I can do is thank them.

"We are in good place and now it's time to reflect and focus on the future. This is not a moment to speak about me. It's about the club."

Image source, Getty Images

Despite missing out on Champions League qualification, next season will see Nottingham Forest involved in a European competition for the first time since 1995-96, when they reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals under Frank Clark.

Forest's 19 wins in the Premier League this season is also the joint-most by a team to not finish in the top six, along with Manchester United in 2013-14 (also seventh).

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest gave it their all but fell short. The disappointment of the final few weeks should not overshadow what has been a renaissance at the club, who return to Europe for the first time since 1996.

They ran out of steam, the last few weeks of the season proving too much for a side who looked like they would reach the Champions League in March.

Any recency bias could suggest the season has ended in failure but scatter the results through the entire season and finishing seventh is exceptional.

Nuno Espirito Santo has helped shape a squad that bounces off each other, where the players enjoy their team-mates' company - and that has been evident on the pitch.

The Conference League may not bring the riches of the Champions League, but Forest now go into a European competition with a viable chance of winning it - and an opportunity to build on the exceptional efforts of this season.

Image source, Getty Images

It went right down to the final day but the European places for next season are now finally confirmed.

Manchester City and Chelsea's wins saw them secure third and fourth respectively, while Newcastle took the fifth and final Champions League spot despite a final day loss to Everton.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest's defeats mean they miss out on the top five but will be heading on European adventures in the Europa and Conference Leagues respectively.

Chelsea's win means there will not be an additional spot for eighth place so Brighton's victory at Tottenham does not creep them into Europe.

So the curtain has come down on Nottingham Forest's season with a defeat by Chelsea that sees them miss out on a Champions League place.

Having occupied a top-five spot for much of the season, they just miss out and finish seventh.

But when many expected them to be battling relegation, they can still celebrate a place in Europe as they head into the Conference League next season.

So how are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long campaign?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance and season

Come back to this page later to find a selection of your replies

Nottingham Forest are unchanged following their win at West Ham as they chase a Champions League spot on the final day.

Callum Hudson-Odoi must be content with a place on the bench against his former club while Willy Boly returns among the substitutes.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood

Subs: Morato, Toffolo, Boly, Hudson-Odoi, Yates, Danilo, Jota Silva, Sosa, Miguel

Jadon Sancho returns in Chelsea's only change at the City Ground from their win over Manchester United.

He replaces Tyrique George while there is no Christopher Nkunku in the squad despite being named as available by boss Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Colwill, Adarabioyo, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Madueke, Sancho, Neto

Subs: Badiashile, Chalobah, Gusto, Guiu, Acheampong, Dewsbury-Hall, Lavia, George, Jorgensen

All 20 teams are in action on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Bournemouth v Leicester City

• Fulham v Man City

• Ipswich v West Ham

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Aston Villa

• Newcastle v Everton

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Brighton

• Wolves v Brentford - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

All kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Nottingham is glorious in the sunshine and this city is one that claims to be the pub capital of the UK.

It is said the West Bridgeford area, home to the City Ground on the River Trent, has nine pubs per square mile and it feels like everyone is out nice and early to soak in the atmosphere.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has delivered the same message to fans in his programme notes as his press conference: "Enjoy the game and bring then noise."

My train came in stupidly early today so I have been walking around. There there is a bit of a party atmosphere bubbling up even several hours before kick-off.

What a game this is, and it is a must-watch if you're a neutral too.

Nothing against my old club Chelsea, but I would love to go with my heart and say Nottingham Forest will beat them and finish in the top five - it is just I don't think either of those things will happen.

The City Ground will be absolutely jumping, of course, but it was the same for Forest's past three home league games, against Leicester, Brentford and Everton, and they only have one point to show for them - from their draw with the Foxes.

Chelsea are probably going to need a win too, to finish above Aston Villa and stay in the top five, but I can see this ending in the result neither team wants, which is a draw.

That was the result when they met at Stamford Bridge in October, in a game that saw a thrilling finish with chances at both ends. I am expecting more of the same here, with both sides ending up disappointed.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nottingham Forest are considering a move for Liverpool's 22-year-old English defender Jarell Quansah. (Football Insider, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

With the 2024-25 Premier League season coming to a close, we would love to hear what you think of this club page.

A huge thank you to those who have already submitted their responses and have interacted with the page in any capacity throughout the campaign.

We are continuously working to improve your experience and bring you the best possible content and coverage of your team.

It is your club and your voice.

So what do you like?

And what could be improved?

Send thoughts here

We asked you to pick your player of the season after our Nottingham Forest fan contributor narrowed it down to Matz Sels, Chris Wood, Nikola Milenkovic and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Here are some of your comments on your selection:

Owen: Sels is the best player at Forest. His saves have made the difference this season. Closely followed by Gibbs-White and Wood.

Raf: Between Sels and Wood. Gone for Sels - saved us more times than Wood's goals.

Sean: I think any Forest fan would struggle to pick a player of the season because it's been such a fantastic season and that's because of the efforts of the team, both on and off the pitch. However, it has to be Sels - 13 clean sheets and loads of key saves have won us so many points this season and got us through penalty shootouts to the FA cup semi-finals. It's been the basis of our success this season.

Edward: Wood's supreme efficiency has been paramount. Best shot conversion rate in Europe (50+ shots). Per Opta, Forest are 17th on the big chances created table. He has done the hardest job in football and done it better than he's ever done it before. Goals win games.

Mark: I selected Milenkovic. Not an easy decision but just look at our defensive record versus last season. We had the worst record for conceding from set-pieces, now we're one of the best. Milenkovic is a huge part of that improvement and links so well with Murillo. He also offers a threat at the other end from set-pieces too. Great signing.

Tim: Milenkovic has been brilliant all season, commanding the defence. The other defenders have grown in confidence with his presence. Milenkovic and Murillo - fantastic together.

Don't forget to make your selection

Image source, Getty Images

Even if they lose this match, Nottingham Forest are guaranteed their highest Premier League finish since 1994-95 (third). Should results go their way on the final day, they could potentially reach the European Cup for the first time since the 1980-81 campaign, when they did so as reigning European champions.

However, Forest have won just one of their past seven Premier League games against Chelsea, beating them 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in September 2023.

The Blues won this fixture 3-2 last season. Only once have they won consecutive away league games against Forest.

Image source, Getty Images

Depending on results elsewhere, Nottingham Forest's match with Chelsea could prove to be winner takes all in the race for Champions League qualification.

The Blues know that a win will guarantee them a spot in the top five, while Forest will have to take all three points and hope for a favour from Aston Villa's game at Old Trafford or Newcastle's at St James' Park.

While the two sides go head to head on the pitch, we asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each fan got to ask three questions to each other before the big game...

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Nottingham Forest fan Saveena Johal had to say on questions set by our Chelsea supporter Ross Mooring.

Are you confident you can win on Sunday?

I am. The atmosphere will be cracking for the final home game, and we are going into the game off the back of a pivotal, and long-awaited win at West Ham.

Our style of play suits us against a team like Chelsea, so I'm hoping for ample opportunity for us to sit back and hit them on the break.

With the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina back from injury, the team will be up for it - this is a game that we can really go for and ultimately qualify for Europe, be that Champions League or Europa League.

Who is the player most likely to unlock Chelsea's defence?

Morgan Gibbs-White has been great at breaking down defensive lines. As a talented all-round player, he has the ability to drift through the opposition and heavily influence games.

He has performed well recently, with goals and assists in our past two matches. He has ounces of creativity both in and out of possession, smart tactical play and gets stuck into the deeper areas.

If Gibbs-White is at his peak on Sunday, there is no doubt the team as a whole will play well.

Which area of the Forest team could the Blues exploit, if any?

Ibrahim Sangare sometimes lets players drift past him in midfield, and he is lacking the fitness to get back. As he has not had regular game time, we have not been able to see his potential. He could therefore be a weak-link if he does play on Sunday.

Aside from that, we have conceded in the past three home games due to defensive errors. Matz Sels has been phenomenal, however, and with him I'm optimistic that he will help to boost the confidence in our back-line for the final game.

Find more from Saveena Johal at Punjabi Forest, external

Ross Mooring
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Chelsea fan Ross Mooring had to say on questions put by our Nottingham Forest supporter Saveena Johal.

Given the recent trajectory of Chelsea, how confident are you that you can secure a Champions League spot on Sunday?

Even with the uptick in results over the past couple of months, performances have not reached the heights of the form in 2024 and, without a recognised striker available on Sunday, it is going to be even harder for the Blues.

It feels as if Forest possess more self-confidence as a unit, while Chelsea are probably going to need a bit of magic from Cole Palmer or a wildcard like Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, or even Tyrique George.

Colour me more hopeful than confident, but anything can happen in what is sure to resemble a cup final at the City Ground.

Which Blues player has impressed you the most this season?

Moises Caicedo - a devastating mixture of N'Golo Kante and Michael Essien - has had a dominant season from start to finish and deservedly won both the fans' and players' player of the season awards.

Cole Palmer's dip in form has been somewhat overstated as, even in his own dry spell, he has continued to churn out chances, of which team-mates have not taken advantage.

The trio in the first answer have all enjoyed strong ends to the campaign too, but if the Blues are going to keep Forest out and attack at pace, Caicedo will be the one leading the charge.

How would you rate your season, as 10 games in you were considered title contenders?

At the moment, six out of 10 seems right. A win on Sunday and in the Conference League final would probably push it to a seven, while the less said about two potential defeats the better.

Sustaining a title challenge was probably not a realistic target, but the messaging at the time from Enzo Maresca did the team no favours.

There have been a lot of missed opportunities throughout the campaign, including two dismal domestic cup defeats away from home. Many players have also struggled to perform in Maresca's system, resulting in just as many bad performances as bad results.

Find more from Ross Mooring at Chelsea Fancast, external

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed that Murillo is still being assessed after injuring his ankle at West Ham and has not been able to train. The Forest boss did not share nay other team news.

• On the latest with Taiwo Awoniyi after his serious injury and surgery: "He is much better. Already been able to walk. Doctor informed us [Awoniyi] is starting his normal life in terms of eating his food, so he is doing much better."

• On whether the forward would be at the ground on Sunday: "In the game, he is not going to be with us - it was a big issue. It is in our mind and we want him to be healthy again. So it is going to be a game for Taiwo, for the fans, for the city, for everybody."

• Despite the pressure on the game, Nuno insisted this has been a "normal week" for the team: "Nothing changes. One thing we are enjoying is preparing for a big match, so why not enjoy it? Everyone is enjoying it here."

• On his message to the players before the game: "In a game like this, with motivation you just don't have to worry about that. It is already there. Players are on fire to play the game so the message is to stick to the task. Recognise it is a tough team to play against and enjoy and play the game like we always do."

• After Morgan Gibbs-White's call-up to the England squad, Nuno said he was "proud" of the midfielder and fielded questions on the midfielder's future: "No, I'm only concerned about his performance on Sunday. This is what we think. In his mind, the only thought is to compete and help the team on Sunday."

• On reports linking Nuno with the Roma job: "Do you really think I'm going to waste time on that? So much to think and get ready - my main focus is preparing the team, getting best solutions and details for players. Nothing else."

• On how much home support will help against Chelsea: "The City Ground will help us. They have been doing so since the start of the season and last season, helping us a lot. Hopefully, it stays an enjoyable day for everyone. Chelsea are a good team, with good players and talented squad. It is a decisive game for everyone."

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

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Nottingham Forest v Chelsea from 16:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Sounds

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra (7 June) and friendly against Senegal (10 June).

Manchester City's Phil Foden, Newcastle's Tino Livramento and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen all miss out, but Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea duo Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah have been selected.

Sunday's visit of Chelsea "has the potential to be a defining moment" in Nottingham Forest's history, says Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray.

"Whatever happens, whatever the outcome is, you have to applaud what Forest have done this season because it has come out of nowhere," he told BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast.

"They are the first Premier League team to double their points tally from one season to the next.

"They have taken so many strides in one short season. The opportunity if things go right on Sunday afternoon is to open up unthought-of potential in the space of 90 minutes.

"It has the potential to be a defining moment in the club's history."

As illustrated in the graphic above, Forest know they need to win and rely on Newcastle or Aston Villa to drop points in order for them to reach the Champions League.

"It's possible because anything in football is," Fray said. "A rush of blood to the head because of tension or nerves, an early red card in a game, things can change. Everton could start to frustrate Newcastle a little bit - anything could happen.

"The reason all the predictors and the Opta Supercomputer only has Forest on a percentage chance in the low 20s to reach the Champions League is because they have a tough task to beat Chelsea and rely on Everton or a poor Manchester United to take points off those other two sides, who have had great seasons.

"Being realistic, you can see why the chances are so low. If you run the scenarios four or five times maybe, only once do Forest get into the Champions League. But it could be that once. They only need it to happen once."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest are monitoring developments with Leicester City's 17-year-old English forward Lorenz Hutchinson. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

A new episode of the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is now available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.

BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss Forest's chances of qualifying for the Champions League before Sunday's pivotal showdown with Chelsea.

The panel also break down Taiwo Awoniyi's serious injury and hear from captain Ryan Yates and midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds