Chelsea were surprised (2-0) at promoted and currently relegated Ipswich on Monday evening. A second defeat in a row in the Premier League which sends the Blue to the foot of the podium.
Chelsea is 4th with 35 points after 19 days and could see the podium move further away if Arsenal (3rd, 36 points) came to win at Brentford Wednesday.
This setback at Portman Road brings joy to Nottingham Forest2nd (37 points) behind Liverpool (45 points).
The Blues experienced a big cold spell in their last three matches of 2024, only pocketing one point Everton (0-0) and conceding two defeats in quick succession, including one at the end of the match against Fulham.
Enzo Marescawho started usual replacements on Monday (Filip Jorgensen, Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku in particular), had suffered only two defeats during the first 17 days of the Premier League.
His players gave in on Monday on a penalty of Liam Delap (12th) and a goal of Omari Hutchinson (53rd, 2-0), well served by the 21-year-old attacker.
Ipswich had yet to win at home this season and had five losses in their previous six matches.
The Tractor Boys, 18th (15 points), are only one point behind the first non-relegation team, Wolverhampton (17e, 16 points).
