Nottingham Forest’s hopes of returning to Europe’s top club competition were dashed following a narrow 1–0 defeat to Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday.
Despite a spirited performance, Forest were unable to find the breakthrough needed to secure a top five Premier League finish.
Levi Colwill’s solitary goal proved decisive for the visitors, as Chelsea held firm to confirm their fourth place finish and Champions League qualification.
For Forest, the result confirmed a seventh place finish despite recording 19 Premier League wins — the joint most by a team that failed to finish in the top six, matching a record set by Manchester United in 2013/14.
Forest enjoyed more possession and made more attempts, but a combination of missed opportunities and resolute Chelsea defending ensured the East Midlands club were left to reflect on what might have been.
A draw would have been enough for a place in the UEFA Europa League, while a victory could have launched them into the Champions League for the first time in the modern era.
Nonetheless, there is cause for optimism at the City Ground. Next season’s UEFA Conference League campaign will mark Nottingham Forest’s first continental appearance since their 1995/96 UEFA Cup run under Frank Clark, when they reached the quarter finals.
The club’s resurgence under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo has reignited belief among supporters, some of who witnessed their back to back European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980.
