After Chelsea’s corner kick, two players pounced on the ball that bounced inside the penalty area, an incident that immediately raised concerns for both teams. Sky Sports did not post replays until a significant amount of time had passed, with Derry being given oxygen while lying on the turf.
Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty moments later, which Cole Palmer took and Mats Sells saved, giving Forest a 2-0 lead. They went on to win 3-1.
Derry left the pitch on a stretcher to a standing ovation from both teams’ fans, but Chelsea later announced the forward was “conscious” and “talking” from hospital.
Chelsea said in a positive statement: “Jesse Derry was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after being substituted in the first half of today’s #PL match against Nottingham Forest. Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing preventive tests. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their quick response.”
Callum MacFarlane later told Sky Sports: “We’re hearing positive signs from Jesse Derry and Rob Sanchez. I’m happy with Jesse’s performance, but there are probably more important things at the moment.”
There was no malice towards either player, former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer told BBC 5 Live: “It’s an unfortunate incident. There was no malice. I think Derry just got there before Zac Abbott and both players were on the ground.”
Derry, the son of former QPR defender Shaun Derry, was not the only player involved in the head collision. In the second half, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Morgan Gibbs-White collided, with both players having to be substituted.
After Vitor Pereira rested most of the starting XI, Taiwo Awoniyi converted Igor Jesus’ penalties left and right to score two goals and secure an important three points at the bottom of the table.
Chelsea look set to miss out on next season’s Champions League qualification, but Joao Pedro scored a late goal in stoppage time.
The Blues remain ninth in the Premier League, 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa with three games remaining, but sixth place could be enough to qualify for Europe’s top competition.
