They were the party poopers at a raucous City Ground on the final day of what has been a brilliant season of overachievement from Nuno Espirito Santo's side. Forest were still applauded off by their supporters and deservedly so as they returned to Europe for the first time in 30 years.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca left Nottingham Forest's City Ground aiming a swear word at his critics. In fairness, the Italian did self-censor it, but was keen to stress he "didn't have any doubt about the players.

A return to the Champions League at this early stage of his Chelsea tenure ought to have transformative consequences, not only for a manager who has not exactly been the darling of Blues supporters during his debut season, but perhaps also for a project and leadership that, in three years in charge, has often been anything but.