Calum McFarlane Backs Committed Chelsea Squad After Forest Defeat

Chelsea slide to 6th straight loss as Forest stun Stamford Bridge

Nottingham Forest beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring twice to push Forest six points clear of relegation.

Teenager Jesse Derry was stretchered off with a head injury on his first start, adding to Chelsea’s woes ahead of the FA Cup final.

Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane said his players gave everything despite the 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Monday.

The defeat at Stamford Bridge leaves the Blues’ Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Taiwo Awoniyi scored on his 100th Forest appearance to open the scoring, and Igor Jesus made it 2-0 shortly after from the penalty spot.

Cole Palmer made things worse for Chelsea when he missed a penalty late in the first half.

FT.#CFC | #CHENFO pic.twitter.com/0PaE5s9iw4

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 4, 2026

Awoniyi added a second after the break, and Joao Pedro’s late overhead kick was little more than a consolation for a flat Chelsea side.

Sitting 9th, Chelsea’s poor form has them on the brink of missing out on next season’s Champions League.

The loss also means Chelsea have dropped six league games in a row for the first time since 1993, with the FA Cup final against Manchester City still to come on May 16th.

Chelsea across their last six Premier League games:

◉ 7.32 xG
◉ 94 shots
◉ 18 shots on target
◉ 1 penalty missed
◉ 1 goal

They've conceded 14 goals from the 36 shots on target that they've faced in that time. 😬 https://t.co/Ykg1P7OLqR pic.twitter.com/5bhPKnrzWC

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 4, 2026

“A really disappointing result and performance. The first 15 minutes was not good enough. That set the tone,” McFarlane said.

“It's hard to say why. I'd probably like to review the game to look at such a stark contrast to the way we defended against Leeds last weekend.”

“Enzo Fernandez hits the post and Cole Palmer misses the penalty; when you have such a bad start you need those kind of moments to go in your favour and unfortunately they didn't.

“It's massively disappointing. We know we are a lot better than what we showed. I don't think we ever got to our level.”

Amid ongoing talk that Chelsea’s players weren’t fully committed under Liam Rosenior, McFarlane said his squad remains fully invested in the team’s cause.

“I wouldn't say that. I don't think we lacked effort and commitment,” he said.

“We believe we will, we see the lads every day and they are doing everything they can. We need to move on quickly and it's about responding now.

“I've said it before, but we just need to improve on this performance and be ready for another game in five days.”

Chelsea’s problems deepened when 18-year-old winger Jesse Derry was stretchered off on his first start after a head injury sustained winning the penalty Palmer missed.

“The update is that he is in a good condition. I need to fully speak to the medical team, but it's positive signs,” McFarlane said of Derry.