Anthony Elanga strikes to earn shock win for Nottingham Forest at Chelsea

If only there was an accountancy trick that could mask Chelsea’s awful numbers in front of goal. Unfortunately for Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital there is no way to amortise a home defeat to a ruthless Nottingham Forest. As Mauricio Pochettino heard the home fans greet the final whistle with fierce boos, it was strange to think that £1bn has gone into building a side so lacking in nous, leadership and ways to respond against opponents intent on frustrating them at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino tried everything –throwing Cole Palmer on for his debut a day after the winger’s £42.5m move from Manchester City, turning to the £88.5m Mykhailo Mudryk more in hope than expectation – but there was no way Forest were going to surrender a first away win since January.

“We talked about how we could hurt Chelsea and then after that it was about keeping a clean sheet,” Cooper said. “There is no shame in that.”

There was much to admire about Forest’s defending. Ola Aina neutralised Sterling, who did little to show that Gareth Southgate was wrong to leave him out of the England squad, and Chelsea toiled throughout a tepid first half. There was possession but no incision, the threat limited to a couple of hopeful efforts from Enzo Fernández and the hosts did not look comfortable defending set-pieces. Taiyo Awoniyi bullied Thiago Silva at times and the Forest striker missed two good chances to opening the scoring.

Forest’s plan was working. Much is made of their frenzied activity in the transfer market – seven signings arrived on deadline day – but it has not stopped Cooper from making sure his players know how to do their jobs.

Chelsea lacked such cohesion. So much changed during the summer and Forest would take advantage of the uncertainty three minutes into the second half. There was a mix-up in midfield, Moisés Caicedo and Conor Gallagher taking it in turns to squander possession, and Orel Mangala was able to make a crucial interception. The ball ran to Awoyini, he nutmegged Silva with a clever pass and Elanga, on for the injured Danilo, escaped Levi Colwill before sliding a composed shot past Robert Sánchez.