Pundits Matt Upson and Fara Williams think Nottingham Forest's performance against Chelsea in their 1-1 draw at the City Ground on Sunday was underpinned by an 'aggressive' display.
Despite going 1-0 down early on after Raheem Sterling netted the opener, a convincing second half display could have seen Forest come away with all three points. Their improved performance after the break saw their efforts pay off, with Serge Aurier scoring the equaliser.
The Reds have only lost three times at home this season, to Tottenham, Bournemouth and Fulham respectively. But they have since used their home form to overcome the likes of Liverpool and Crystal Palace, while also claiming valuable points along the way.
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Adding another vital point in their bid to climb out of the relegation zone, Steve Cooper's side were praised for their approach against the Blues. "I loved the second half," Upson said on Match of the Day.
"I loved the approach that Forest had, you can really tell they came out, look at the difference in the first and second-half. Look how positive, how aggressive Nottingham Forest were and for me, it all just started with their mentality. First half they showed signs and what I liked about how they approached the game was they didn't try to be something they're not.
"They had a clear identity and their identity was to get the ball forward and as quickly as they can. They turnover possession, how can we hurt Chelsea, can we get behind? As a defender you do not want to play against teams that knock into space and run, that is what they did.
"Elements in the first half but they were spot on in terms of the second-half. [Remo] Freuler and [Ryan] Yates in particular, set about the Chelsea midfield and they smothered them. I think Chelsea really struggled to contain them and you saw chance after chance and lots of entries into the final third.
"There was wave after wave of attack, breaking the line, straight into attacking play. They were physical and getting the better of (Kalidou) Koulibaly and again another cut back into the box. It was a great second half."
Meanwhile, Williams added: "I know it's difficult when you don't dominate possession but if you're a team that when you win the ball back, in those transition moments which Forest were very good at, their first thought was to play forward and hurt Chelsea when they were unbalanced defensively.
"That was what Chelsea could not cope with, their aggression in possession of the ball was far better than Chelsea's. The intensity and the passes they made, runners forward, you heard (Graham) Potter say there, the one vs one duels, dominated them in the second half and that was the difference.
"When they didn't have the ball they didn't do a great deal with it, they were more concerned about having the ball rather than what they were doing with it and the possession stats, 72 per cent possession, only having two shots at goals and 56 entries into the final third."
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