Chelsea player ratings as Palmer brilliant, James magic, Jackson wins it vs Nottingham Forest

Chelsea produced an incredible turnaround late on to beat Nottingham Forest away from home in a thrilling contest at the City Ground.

After such a resounding victory last time out against West Ham United, head coach Mauricio Pochettino elected to go with an unchanged team. Despite some early pressure from Forest, it was Chelsea who took the lead on eight minutes.

Mykhailo Mudryk scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season with a lovely finish after a beautifully-weighted through ball from Cole Palmer. However, their lead did not last long.

Some poor marking allowed Willy Boly to be in so much space in the Chelsea box and he headed past Djordje Petrovic. It was what Forest deserved with the hosts being the better side in the first-half.

Thiago Silva hit the post in the second-half after he flicked on a fantastic Palmer cross. Not too long after Forest took the lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi, who scored against his former club shortly after hitting the woodwork, and that looked as if it was going to be the winning goal.

Not for long, though, because substitute Raheem Sterling produced a moment of magic to level the game, cutting in from the left-hand side to bend the ball into the far corner. It was then all about Reece James, who provided a brilliant assist for Nicolas Jackson to head in at the back post to make it 3-2.

That is the way it stayed at the City Ground. Below, Bobby Vincent rates each of the Chelsea players out of 10.

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Djordje Petrovic – 6

Petrovic made a couple of fine saves. He didn't do anything wrong.

Trevoh Chalobah – 6

Chalobah used his aerial prowess to Chelsea's advantage. He does not offer the same attacking ability that Malo Gusto or Reece James do as he is in an unnatural position. He did okay.

Thiago Silva – 6

Silva's positioning saved Chelsea at times. Solid back there once again. Sad there are only two more games for Silva at Chelsea.

Benoit Badiashile – 5

The Frenchman gives away a silly foul that led to Forest's equalising goal. Apart from that, he did okay. Won a lot in the air. 5.

Marc Cucurella – 5

The Spaniard's impact in the new inverted role was somewhat nullified – something that clearly had an impact on Pochettino's plans at the City Ground. Cucurella was not able to get on the ball as much as he had in recent games, so much so that in the second-half, he seemed to play a more conventional full-back role.

Moises Caicedo – 7

Caicedo was great once again. Not as imperious as recent games but one of the standout performers for the Blues once again.

Conor Gallagher – 6

The England international was not at his brilliant best. Unable to have too much of an impact going forward but his energy was important for Chelsea in the middle of the pitch.

Noni Madueke – 4

Madueke gave the ball away too much. Sometimes in really dangerous areas, too, which led to unnecessary pressure from the hosts. Not able to continue his recent form. Off before the hour-mark.

Cole Palmer – 8

Chelsea's recently-crowned Player of the Season set up Mykhailo Mudryk's goal early on with one of the best through balls you are likely to see. Perfect weight and direction on the pass to play in the Ukrainian on eight minutes.

Brilliant from Palmer.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 7

Mudryk opened the scoring with a lovely finish. The run that led to it was something we need to see on a frequent basis. His scary speed left Gonzalo Montiel for dead and he showed a calmness in front of goal to net his fifth of the season in the Premier League.

After his goal, though, he seemed to fizzle out somewhat. Chelsea were not attacking down the left-hand side too much and Mudryk was rather anonymous despite opening the scoring.

Nicolas Jackson – 7

The Senegal international missed a huge opportunity just over 30 minutes in. Jackson was clean through on goal but did not do enough to beat Matz Sels in the Forest goal.

It was not his best performance, but he more than made up for it with what proved to be the winning goal. A great run to the back post to head in from a Reece James cross.

Substitutes

Christopher Nkunku – 6

Nkunku came on early in the second-half. Looked bright.

Malo Gusto – 5

Gusto came on at the same time as Nkunku. He lets Hudson-Odoi in on his right foot too easily for the winning goal.

Raheem Sterling – 8

A great finish into the bottom corner to level the match for Chelsea. An unstoppable run and finish. He has that in his locker.

Reece James – 7

He did not hang around, did he? A pinpoint cross to Jackson minutes after coming on. That is what Chelsea have missed. So pleased for the captain.