The Albany Gazette - McFarlane backs Chelsea flops after woeful Forest defeat

The Blues' hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are hanging by a slender thread following the chastening loss at Stamford Bridge.

Taiwo Awoniyi marked his 100th Forest appearance with the early opener and Igor Jesus' penalty doubled their advantage soon afterwards.

Cole Palmer compounded Chelsea's misery when he missed a penalty late in the first half.

Awoniyi struck again after the interval and Joao Pedro's eye-catching bicycle kick in the closing stages was no consolation for lacklustre Chelsea.

Languishing in ninth place, Chelsea's wretched run has left them on the verge of failing to reach next season's Champions League.

Chelsea, who will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 16, have lost six consecutive league games for the first time since 1993.

"A really disappointing result and performance. The first 15 minutes was not good enough. That set the tone," McFarlane said.

"It's hard to say why. I'd probably like to review the game to look at such a stark contract to the way we defended against Leeds last weekend.

"Enzo Fernandez hits the post and Cole Palmer misses the penalty; when you have such a bad start you need those kind of moments to go in your favour and unfortunately they didn't.

"It's massively disappointing. We know we are a lot better than what we showed. I don't think we ever got to our level."

After constant speculation that Chelsea's stars were not invested in the team during Liam Rosenior's brief reign, McFarlane claimed his side remain committed to the cause.

"I wouldn't say that. I don't think we lacked effort and commitment," he said.

"We believe we will we see the lads every day and they are doing everything they can. We need to move on quickly and it's about responding now.

"I've said it before but we just need to improve on this performance and be ready for another game in five days."

Adding to Chelsea's woes, teenage winger Jesse Derry was stretchered off on his first start after suffering a head injury while winning the penalty that Palmer missed.

"The update is that he is in a good condition. I need to fully speak to the medical team but it's positive signs," McFarlane said of Derry.

(B.Smith--TAG)