Levi Colwill chose an excellent time to score his third Chelsea goal, and afterwards the defender reflected on securing Champions League for next season, the magnitude of that achievement and the work that went into it.
Early in the second half at Nottingham Forest, with the game goalless, Colwill stole in at the far post to turn home [Pedro Neto](/en/teams/profile/pedro-neto)’s prodded touch. It will go down as one of the easiest goals he will ever score, and one of the most important.
‘In the first half I also nearly had a chance when Pedro put it over and I was hanging around the back trying to cause problems,’ Colwill pointed out. ‘I got a bit lucky for the goal, but I was happy to score it!
‘When I scored I couldn’t lose all my composure, I had to stay calm because we still had 40 minutes left to play, but it means everything. The boys have worked hard and we’ve got our rewards.
‘We knew it was going to be a tough game, a hard atmosphere, but we’ve done it and we’re proud of it. We didn’t play the football we wanted to play but we got the job done and that’s the sign of a good team.’
Colwill’s goal was the last of a 38-game campaign that contained its fair share of highs and lows. However, the Blues stuck to the task at hand and we now have the reward of Champions League football for 2025/26.
‘As a club we’re back where we belong,’ stressed Colwill.
‘It’s all we’ve wanted from minute one of the season, that’s what we’ve planned to do. Chelsea should always be in the Champions League, for the size of the club and the fans it’s meant to be there, and that’s what we’ve worked towards and that’s why we’ve done it.
‘What I got taught in the Academy is to fight,' added Colwill. 'You have to fight to be the best and that’s what me and the team have been doing, the back four and the whole team to try and get these clean sheets to win.
‘We’ve ridden it out and we’ve grinded the whole season for the fans. We hope they’re happy and now they get to see Champions League next season!’
That’s something we can all look forward to.