Nottingham Forest

Will Perry
Final Score reporter at the City Ground

Image source, Getty Images

I could sense more than a tinge of disappointment from many of the Nottingham Forest fans as I left the City Ground after Sunday's defeat by Chelsea.

They do not need me to tell them that the Conference League is still an unbelievable achievement for a team many thought would be in a relegation scrap again.

However, having had Champions League football firmly in their hands, Forest dropped points in six of their final eight Premier League games to slip away from Europe's elite, including three home defeats in that run.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are still one of the stories of the season, though.

He has delivered their best campaign for three decades, their goalkeeper shared the Golden Glove, only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland scored more goals in the Premier League than Chris Wood - and European football is coming back to the City Ground for the first time since the 1995-96 season.

Let's face it, if I had told you that story in August you would have thought I was silly.

Dust off the passports, Forest fans!

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest "looked like a team that had just run out of steam" against Chelsea, but a place in the Conference League "is still brilliant," says former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

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 got five points from a possible 21 in the final bunch of games and their change in home form will be one thing they will be disappointed in," said Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Forest have been quite happy with the opposition having the ball this season and them playing on the counter attack, but they went all-out against Chelsea to win the game in the first half.

"The game changed very quickly in the second half when Chelsea got the goal and Forest went a lot more direct and just lumping it to Chris Wood. There was no rhythm despite all the attacking players being on the pitch.

"But it is fantastic to see what they have done this season. At the beginning of the campaign, I had them to just avoid relegation! Fans would have bitten your hand off for European football too.

"But with success comes expectation. When you are in the top four for eight weeks or longer, people expect Champions League football. So when you don't get it, it is a slight disappointment.

"I think a place in the Conference League is still a brilliant season."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's 10 final day Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea

• Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

• Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Image source, Getty Images

After Nottingham Forest's 1-0 defeat by Chelsea saw them miss out on Champions League football, we asked for your thoughts on the match and the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: If this result had have been on offer at the beginning of the season, I would have snatched your hand off. Forest played a particular way and the great teams 'sussed' us out towards the end of the season. A great season - but we will have to see investment in the club. Cash and players.

Jan: Where were Forest predicted to finish before the season started? Well, it certainly wasn't seventh! They tried so hard today to get a Champions League place but it just didn't go their way. A larger squad may have lessened the end of season drop-off in form. Overall, an outstanding effort by the team and I expect them to smash the Conference League next season!

Joe: Devastated to lose out how we did when we were in such a great position a month ago but also very excited for Europe next year, even if it isn't the competition everyone wanted. From where we were at the start of last year, this is a dream come true. Up the Reds.

Flossy: Seventeenth last season. Favourites for relegation this season. To then qualify for European football with an FA Cup semi-final, this season is a huge improvement over the last. Instead of the Championship, we are digging out our passports! Sure we were right up there for a long time, but I am more than happy to finish seventh.

Jacob: Unbelievably proud of the team for how far they've come this season. Fine margins cost us in the end and it's easy to think of a missed chance or mistake during the season, which cost us the points we needed in the end. Fans will feel disappointed in the moment but mustn't lose sight of the bigger picture. Hopefully, we will look back on this season as a sign of great things to come in the future.

Gary: The obvious requirement next season is to have more squad depth. Also, if the poor home form continues into the new season, it won't be long before Nuno is looking over his shoulder.

Image source, Getty Images

After keeping 13 clean sheets across the Premier League season, the Golden Glove award has been shared between Nottingham Forest's goalkeeper Matz Sels and Arsenal's David Raya.

"It's a big achievement so I'm really happy but not only for me but for the team," he told Sky Sports after the final game of the season against Chelsea.

"It means we had a great season, almost the whole season on a Champions League spot. Sadly we couldn't finish it today, but we need to be proud of the season we've had. We will play in Europe.

"When I came last year, I came in a difficult situation. This kind of achievement is always from the team. It's the same if a striker scorers a lot of goals."

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.