The Blues are ticking along well under Enzo Maresca and welcome Forest to Stamford Bridge this afternoon looking for a sixth straight win across all competitions. Cole Palmer’s remarkable, and record-breaking, first-half four-goal haul took the plaudits last week, and looks primed to plunder more goals against today’s inconsistent vistors.

Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Nottingham Forest today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.

The pattern of the game was set inside the first minute, with Chelsea dominating possession and controlling proceedings and Forest sitting back with ten, sometimes eleven men behind the ball. Chelsea were finding some space on the wings,