Nottingham Forest's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday encapsulated a frustrating campaign, with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo warning the club is not yet mathematically safe from relegation. Despite earlier results ensuring survival was virtually assured, Nuno stressed the need for focus, saying: 'It is not over. It is virtually. But maybe I am the only person who has seen too many things in football to allow our players to relax.'
The Reds led 2-1 through Callum Hudson-Odoi's goal with 15 minutes remaining, only to concede twice in quick succession. It was the seventh time this season Forest have lost by a 3-2 scoreline, four of those under Nuno. 'Everything has to be more aggressive - not only today, but through the season this has happened to us,' Nuno said. 'It is very hard to bounce back and then not manage the game properly.'
Despite the defeat, there were positives. Ola Aina, Willy Boly, Ryan Yates, Murillo and Hudson-Odoi impressed. Nuno's switch to a back three worked well, echoing the performance against Manchester City. However, defensive errors and poor game management remain concerns. 'There are a lot of lessons to learn,' Nuno admitted.
Off the pitch, fans made their feelings clear about the club's proposed move away from the City Ground, with chants of 'Toton's a *******, I want to stay here' and 'stand up for the City Ground' heard. Owner Evangelos Marinakis was in attendance as Nuno added his voice to the plea to remain at the historic stadium.
