Nottingham Forest missed out on a place in next season’s Champions League after losing 1-0 to Chelsea at the City Ground on the final day of a pulsating campaign.
The Reds lost after Levi Colwill scored early in the second half, with the defender gaining retribution after scoring the only goal of the game that led to Forest winning the Championship Play-Off final in 2021/22.
A win for Forest would have meant a Champions League place, with Aston Villa and Newcastle losing to Manchester United and Everton, respectively, in a bizarre final day of the season.
It’s proved a tough end to the season for Forest, who have simply run out of steam and as the players performed their end-of-season lap of appreciation, there was a worrying sign emerging from one player.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest star Nicolas Dominguez facing anxious injury wait
The Argentine performer was forced off the pitch after a shocking challenge from Noni Madueke went unpunished by referee Anthony Taylor, with the England international escaping a caution.
Dominguez tried to leave the field of his own accord, but after walking a few steps, signalled for the stretcher to aid him in getting back to the dressing room with his knee taking the impact of the challenge.
After the game, fans had even more right to be concerned, with Dominguez wearing a sizeable leg brace as he was helped around the pitch to pay tribute to the fans who have backed the team all season.
Dominguez has made it back into the Argentina squad for the first time in many years, for his form at the back end of this season, and this provides a serious setback if the injury looks as serious as first feared.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Nicolas Dominguez stats vs Chelsea
The talented midfielder has been absolutely brilliant during the entire Premier League campaign and his form has seen him hold down a place in the team under Espirito Santo.
Knee injuries can be extremely nasty, and hopefully, it’s not something that will keep the player out for many months, with the hope that he can get back on the pitch next season.
Nicolas Dominguez stats vs Chelsea Total
Minutes 67
Blocks 1
Tackles 2
Pass Accuracy 92.6%
Who Scored Rating 6.55
Dominguez will be needed for Forest as the team embarks on more games next term and the Argentine will know that he’s now playing for a club that plays him week in and week out.
The player was performing well before injury struck in the 67th minute and after seeing him wearing such a substantial knee brace after the game, it will now be an anxious wait for the fan base.