Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Monday, deepening their Premier League struggles and putting their Champions League ambitions in serious doubt [1].
The loss leaves Chelsea in ninth place and 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa with just three games remaining in the season [1]. Owners BlueCo had set Champions League qualification as the target this year, but the recent results have made that unlikely [1].
This was Chelsea’s sixth consecutive league defeat, marking their worst losing streak since November 1993 [1]. It was also only the second time in club history that Chelsea have lost four successive home matches, with the previous instance occurring in 1978 [1].
Interim manager Calum McFarlane has taken charge following Liam Rosenior’s dismissal, but the poor run has continued under his leadership [1]. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said, "It's shocking and it comes from the top, that's where it starts from. There were five or six really top players on that pitch today and they've been beaten by Nottingham Forest's B team. If you think less than 12 months ago [Chelsea] were taking PSG to the cleaners. There's no connection between the players and the staff, the players and the supporters. There's absolutely nothing there and it looks like a broken football club right now" [1].
Mark Schwarzer added, "Chelsea are running out of excuses now. Chelsea did not look like a side who have something so big [the FA Cup final] on the horizon and that is what is so disappointing. They were outfought and there was a lack of desire. The players have to start taking responsibility" [1].
Chelsea now face three crucial matches left this season as they try to close a 10-point gap and salvage European qualification.
