Story perspectives

Chelsea's sixth loss hurts CL hopes, Derry stretchered

5/5/2026

Summary

Jesse Derry Injured

Chelsea winger Jesse Derry was stretchered off and taken to hospital after colliding with Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott.
Medical staff treated Derry on the pitch for more than eight minutes, gave him oxygen, and reported he remained conscious and talking.
Making his Premier League debut, the 18-year-old earned a penalty that Cole Palmer missed.
Chelsea lost 3-1, their sixth straight league defeat, damaging their Champions League qualification hopes.

Summary

Derry Concussion

Derry and Zach Abbott were withdrawn under concussion protocol, with Liam Delap and Neco Williams replacing them.
Interim coach Calum McFarlane said all signs are positive, hoping Derry recovers quickly.
Chelsea announced Derry is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks after being taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Derry scored 12 goals in 29 academy matches and played in two FA Cup games, including a 4-0 win over Hull City.

Summary

Chelsea Collapse

Chelsea lost 3-1, giving the club its poorest Premier League run since 1912.
Manager Calum McFarlane started 18-year-old Jesse Derry after injuries to Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho.
Referee Anthony Taylor used VAR to award a penalty after Forest’s Malo Gusto tugged Taiwo Awoniyi’s shirt.
The loss left Chelsea six points above relegation and ended realistic Champions League hopes.
Stamford Bridge fans booed the home side but applauded Derry’s stretcher removal.

History

Historical Context

VAR, first trialed in the Dutch Eredivisie in 2012-13 and added to the Laws of the Game on 3 March 2018, entered the Premier League for the 2018-19 season. Twenty officials reviewed about 1,200 incidents, cutting controversial calls by roughly 30 %. In the Chelsea-Nottingham Forest match, referee Anthony Taylor used VAR to award a penalty and concussion protocols removed Jesse Derry and Zach Abbott.

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Jesse Derry Injured

Chelsea winger Jesse Derry was stretchered off and taken to hospital after colliding with Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott.
Medical staff treated Derry on the pitch for more than eight minutes, gave him oxygen, and reported he remained conscious and talking.
Making his Premier League debut, the 18-year-old earned a penalty that Cole Palmer missed.
Chelsea lost 3-1, their sixth straight league defeat, damaging their Champions League qualification hopes.

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