Nigeria’s Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice as Nottingham Forest claimed a valuable point against Chelsea in their fight against Premier League relegation in a match that came alive in the second half.
Forest took an early lead when Awoniyi, who scored twice in Monday’s 4-3 win against Southampton, got in front of recalled Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to head in the opener from Renan Lodi’s cross.
Raheem Sterling equalised after the break when he swept home Trevoh Chalobah’s cross and the England winger then turned inside Felipe before curling the ball beyond Keylor Navas seven minutes later.
But Frank Lampard’s side led for just four minutes at Stamford Bridge as Awoniyi flicked home Orel Mangala’s delicate lob into the six-yard box to secure a draw for the visitors.
It ended a run of seven successive league away defeats for Steve Cooper’s men and leaves them three points above third-bottom Leeds United with two games remaining.
Forest, who had taken just six points from a possible 51 away from home this season before the game, face Arsenal at home next Saturday and travel to Crystal Palace on the final day of the campaign.
Chelsea, who are now winless in seven home games in all competitions, stay 11th and face three of the top four within a week – Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United – to end their miserable season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Wolves to keep their top four hopes alive
