Chelsea Comfortable Against Forest As Ange Sacked | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Pressure Reaches Breaking Point

Nottingham Forest suffered another damaging result at the City Ground as Chelsea ran out 3,0 winners, a defeat that has now cost Ange Postecoglou his job. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis reportedly made his feelings clear by leaving the directors’ box with over 20 minutes to play, and confirmation followed shortly after full time that Postecoglou had been relieved of his duties. Eight matches without a win has forced Forest to act.

Chelsea Quality Shines Through After Break

Forest actually produced their best first half in weeks, yet somehow went into the interval level. Taiwo Awoniyi, making his first start since recovering from a serious abdominal injury that left him in a coma last season, spurned a golden chance. Morgan Gibbs-White also passed up two inviting openings, much to the frustration of the home support.

Chelsea appeared vulnerable with a makeshift midfield. Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez were both unavailable, while Moises Caicedo started among the substitutes. Manager Enzo Maresca responded decisively during the interval, reshaping his side with three changes including the introduction of Caicedo. The impact was instant. “You don’t know what you are doing” rang out from the Forest stands when Postecoglou reacted by sending on Callum Hudson-Odoi, yet the visitors were already in control.

Forest Collapse Sparked Sacking

Josh Acheampong, aged just 19, was left completely unmarked to head in Pedro Neto’s cross only four minutes into the second half. Neto followed that by curling a free kick beyond Matz Sels three minutes later. Reece James added the third after pouncing on a poor Sels clearance, sealing Chelsea’s third straight away win and extending Forest’s misery.

Postecoglou’s expression on the touchline told its own story as Neco Williams volleyed over unmarked moments before the third goal. Substitute Igor Jesus struck both post and bar, yet the lack of composure in front of goal has become a defining issue. Six defeats and two draws since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo ultimately proved terminal.

Chelsea Talent Promising Yet Indisciplined

Despite the comfortable scoreline, Maresca will again be forced to address discipline. Malo Gusto’s dismissal late on was Chelsea’s fourth red card in as many matches. It was also their third in the Premier League this season, more than any other side. This is only the third time Chelsea have reached that number after eight games, previously doing so in 2001,02 and 2017,18.

The squad may be stacked with ability, but experience remains thin. It was the youngest Premier League starting XI of the weekend. Maresca himself was suspended recently for celebrating Estevao Willian’s winner against Liverpool. “Maresca must address this or risk it becoming a recurring issue.” For now, though, Chelsea continue to climb the table while Nottingham Forest turn once again to a new manager in search of stability.