Ivorian right-back Serge Aurier showed terrific composure to cancel out Raheem Sterling’s goal with a fine equalizer on New Year’s Day.
Chelsea struggled to cope with Forest’s second-half pace and intensity all through and left the City Ground with a poor run of just one win in their last five games in all competitions, and without a victory in five Premier League away matches.
It is the first point Steve Cooper’s side have taken after going behind this season with this draw extending their unbeaten home run to six games in all competitions.
The point means Forest move above Wolverhampton Wanderers into 18th and are only behind fourth-bottom West Ham United on goal difference.
Chelsea went into the game knowing anything less than the maximum three points would leave them further behind in the the league’s top four race after wins for Manchester United and Liverpool earlier on.
Chelsea, who have now only won successive league games once under Graham Potter since he was appointed climb above Brighton into eighth but are now seven points behind Manchester United who climbed to fourth on the last day of 2022.