The 18-year-old was making his first senior start for the club in Monday’s match and had been one of their brightest sparks, trying to get the team back into the game after trailing 2-0 in the first half.
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But his top-flight debut came to a horrible end when he clashed headers with Abbott in the box as they both jumped for the ball in the 44th minute, with Derry arriving a little quicker and winning a penalty.
However, the welfare of both players (both academy players earning a rare first-team appearance) was the immediate concern as both had to leave the field and Derry was taken to hospital after receiving medical attention on the pitch.
The club issued a statement later on Monday saying: “Jesse is conscious, talking and undergoing precautionary checks. We wish him a speedy recovery and thank the medical staff for their quick response.”
McFarlane told BBC Match of the Day later: “All the signs are positive at the moment so we are hopeful that he is in good condition and from what we have heard it is positive.
“Gutted for Jesse, I thought he did well in the game. He gave us a threat, a huge moment for him that ended sadly.”
The 18-year-old was treated by medical personnel and removed on a stretcher (Getty)
Derry’s teammates quickly pointed out the need to make the substitution, while referee Anthony Taylor immediately called for medical staff to treat the pair.
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Abbott looked shaken but was able to stand unassisted and leave the field, and Forest used a concussion substitute and replaced the 19-year-old defender with Neco Williams.
Derry remained on the ground for eight and a half minutes surrounded by medical personnel, where they gave him oxygen. Stamford Bridge gave him a standing ovation as he was stretchered off and taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for precautionary checks.
He was replaced by Liam Delap and play resumed with the penalty Derry had won, with Matz Sels fingertip saving from Cole Palmer from the spot, leaving the hosts still 2-0 down at half-time.
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There was further concern early in the second half when Forest substitute Morgan Gibbs-White, who came on after the break, collided with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who was competing for a 50-50 ball in the Blues’ box.
Gibbs-White, heavily bandaged, was immediately replaced (PA)
Gibbs-White came off worse in the incident, but fortunately for both sides, the pair were able to walk off the field unassisted after both had their heads heavily bandaged.
Sánchez was replaced between the sticks by Filip Jorgensen, with Chris Wood replacing Gibbs-White, whose replacement leaves him in doubt for the second leg of Forest’s Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa on Thursday night.
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Taiwo Awoniyi opened the scoring in the first two minutes before Igor Jesus scored a penalty after a shirt tug in the Malo Gusto area on Awoniyi. The Nigerian added the third in the 52nd minute after Gibbs-White fired in a low cross, and Joao Pedro scored the goal of honor with an acrobatic overhead shot in stoppage time.