Nottingham Forest gave themselves a fighting chance to beat relegation this season as they fought back to earn a point against a faltering Chelsea side at the City Ground on New Year’s day.
Ivorian Sergie Aurier fired home from close range in the 63rd minute to cancel out Raheem Sterling’s opening goal in the 16th minute.
Steve Cooper’s men welcomed Chelsea, Sunday, unbeaten in six games on their home turn across all competitions.
Although they played second fiddle for parts of the first half, Forest turned the game around in the concluding half with Cooper making some tactical changes including his deployment of Taiwo Awoniyi from wide to a more Central position.
Awoniyi, although he did not score, was a thorn in the side of Chelsea’s back men; pressing had and limiting their runs upfield.
Eventually, it ended 1-1 and Forest moved off the bottom of the table and are tied on points with 17th placed West Ham.
