A near-unprecedented run of six consecutive defeats has left a top-five finish – seen as the minimum pre-season target – impossible.
Chelsea are now part of a congested mid-table group that includes Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Fulham, Everton and Sunderland, all competing for Europa League or Conference League qualification.
They can finish no higher than sixth. That position could yet be enough to secure Champions League football, but only if Aston Villa win the Europa League and end the season fifth, creating an additional qualification place.
Ultimately, Chelsea do not deserve to be in the Champions League on the basis of their recent performances. This six-match losing run is their longest since 1993 and only the fourth time in the club's history they have lost as many consecutive games.
It is therefore understandable that Chelsea's home supporters – witnessing a fourth successive home league defeat for only the second time – booed their side at full-time and chanted against the ownership.
As former manager Mauricio Pochettino said last week, there is a disconnect between the fans, the players and the club. A lack of managerial stability has compounded the issue, leaving Chelsea looking devoid of cohesion.
It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for Nottingham Forest to rest key players for an upcoming European fixture but still dominate Chelsea’s strongest available starting XI in a Premier League match.
Yet that is precisely what happened. Chelsea lost any hope of a first clean sheet since mid-January after just two minutes and waited until the 93rd minute to score.
Indeed, it would be possible to watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy between Chelsea's previous league goal – at Aston Villa in early March – and their latest strike in this defeat, which were more than 550 playing minutes apart.
Chelsea remain in contention for silverware by reaching the FA Cup final, but their players looked crestfallen at full-time. Many joined the club with the expectation of regular Champions League football, yet on current form they may struggle to qualify for Europe at all.
