Blues still punching above their weight

Enzo slows hype as side fail to cut down Forest

- TONY BANKS

ENZO MARESCA insisted prematch that Chelsea were not yet ready to take on the big guns in a title battle.

On this evidence, the Italian is right. Nottingham Forest played with only 10 men after James Ward-Prowse was sent off 12 minutes from time at Stamford Bridge.

But Nuno Espirito Santo's men played with determination and skill and could have notched a remarkable win.

Chelsea had six men booked, so face a £50,000 fine for a second breach, and frustration boiled over late in the game as a 20-man brawl broke out after Forest sub Neco Williams appeared to push Marc Cucurella into Maresca.

But Forest, who won at Liverpool earlier in the season, emerged with the honours.