Chelsea made it back-to-back Premier League victories with a 3-0 win over troubled Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Second-half goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and captain Reece James saw the Blues build on their last-gasp triumph over Liverpool and heap more misery on under-fire Forest manager Ange Postecoglou at the City Ground.
Feeling the absence of midfield stars Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez – the former on the bench with the latter missing out completely – Chelsea struggled in possession as Forest passed up chances to score through Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White. Despite being second best in the first half, the visitors almost took the lead through Andrey Santos but the young Brazilian fired wide of the post.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, serving a one-match touchline ban following his dismissal against Liverpool, rang the changes at half-time, bringing on Caicedo, Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu, and his substitutions were effective, injecting much-needed energy into his side's play. And the west Londoners soon took the lead in the second half when Acheampong headed home Neto's pinpoint cross after 49 minutes. The Portugal winger was soon at it again as he doubled his side's advantage just three minutes later with a free-kick which found its way past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Forest continued to pose a threat but it was simply not their day in front of goal, as Neco Williams blazed over from close range before Igor Jesus hit the crossbar. And the hosts' misery was compounded when James netted a third for Chelsea, who were reduced to 10 men late on when Malo Gusto – already on a caution – was given a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Williams.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the City Ground…
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Robert Sanchez (6/10):
While Forest had chances to score through Anderson and Gibbs-White, both efforts were off target, meaning he rarely had to make a save.
Reece James (8/10):
The captain registered the assist for Neto's goal, via a little lay-off, and then guided the ball past Forest's Sels for Chelsea's third.
Josh Acheampong (7/10):
Brave on the ball, making forward runs to drive Chelsea up the pitch, the young defender gave his side the lead with a second-half header.
Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):
He struggled to help Chelsea build from the back, gifting Forest possession on a few occasions.
Marc Cucurella (5/10):
Forest almost scored twice at the back post – first through Williams and then through Jesus.
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Malo Gusto (4/10):
Operating from midfield, the Frenchman found it difficult all afternoon, receiving his marching orders for a silly challenge on Forest's Williams.
Romeo Lavia (4/10):
Like so many of his team-mates in the first half, he was unable to get Chelsea going in the middle of the park, before being substituted.
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Pedro Neto (9/10):
A threat all afternoon, his cross was headed home by Acheampong before he doubled Chelsea's lead with a free-kick.
Andrey Santos (4/10):
The young midfielder passed up a chance to score in the first half, firing wide of the post. He was taken off during the interval.
Alejandro Garnacho (4/10):
Unable to get into the game, he fell over more times than he got past his man. Substituted at half-time.
Joao Pedro (7/10):
Despite receiving little service at times, he was effective by dropping deep to bring Chelsea forward.
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Moises Caicedo (6/10):
Brought on at half-time, he helped Chelsea look after the ball better.
Jamie Gittens (5/10):
Introduced after the interval, the young winger was quiet, unable to do much better than Garnacho.
Marc Guiu (7/10):
Working tirelessly up top, he was brought down for the free-kick which Neto scored from.
Estevao (6/10):
He curled in the corner which brought about James' late strike for Chelsea.
Tosin Adarabioyo (N/A):
He was brought on too late to make an impact.
Enzo Maresca (8/10):
Working from the stands due to his one-match touchline ban, he was proactive following Chelsea's poor first-half, making three quickfire substitutions that helped deliver the win.