Pedro Neto scored a stunning stoppage-time winner to give Chelsea a 2-1 win over west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Substitute Tyreke George levelled the scores with seven minutes remaining, denying Alex Iwobi's 20th-minute opener.
Neto then fired home from a half-volley to secure victory for the Blues, who moved ahead of Forest for a Champions League place thanks to a superior goal difference.
The result will take some of the pressure off embattled manager Enzo Maresca.
Raul Jimenez's aerial advantage over Chelsea's Levi Colville was evident early in the game as Fulham stepped up their attacks.
Chelsea captain Reece James then found himself under pressure from Fulham and after Ryan Sessegnon's break, his pass to Iwobi allowed the Nigerian striker to use his weaker left foot to fire into the bottom left corner of the goal from the edge of the area.
Chelsea's uncertainty was evident but they created several opportunities that could have been taken by a striker in better form than Nicholas Jackson, who scored nine goals.
The first time was a minute before Iwobi's strike, when Noni Madueke's cross from Jackson crossed into Bernd Leno's hands after flying across the area. The Senegalese striker was caught on his heels in the area despite Neto's fine delivery.
At half-time, Maresca changed the line-up, replacing Madueke with Jadon Sancho, but the changes did not bring results to the team at the beginning.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
