Noni Madueke’s equaliser rescued Chelsea in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Nottingham Forest that ended the Blues’ five-match winning run on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca’s side fell behind to Chris Wood’s strike early in the second half at Stamford Bridge.
England winger Madueke hauled Chelsea level but the hosts couldn’t find a winner despite their numerical advantage in the closing stages.
Forest had to play the last 12 minutes with 10 men after James Ward-Prowse was sent off.
Chelsea had won their previous three league games – and five in all competitions – to raise hopes that Maresca is the man to lift the west Londoners out of their long malaise.
Being held by Forest was a setback but Chelsea still go into the international break in fourth place in the Premier League.
Maresca insists Chelsea are not ready to compete with Manchester City and Arsenal for the title, but they have established themselves as candidates for a top four finish.
The Italian demonstrated Chelsea’s enviable strength in depth by fielding an entirely changed starting line-up for Thursday’s 4-2 Europa Conference League win over Gent.
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