Three things we learned from Chelsea win as bold Enzo Maresca call works wonders | OneFootball

Moises Caicedo’s importance to Blues’ cause made abundantly clear in tale of two halves at the City Ground

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Chelsea clinical in tale of two halves

While Forest can be criticised for being so wasteful in front of goal, Chelsea were clinical in the second half.

Acheampong was the unlikely scorer of their opener, planting a header into the back of the net for his first senior goal just after the break. Then, three minutes later, James rolled to Neto to score from a free-kick.

James later capitalised on Matz Sels’ flapping at a late corner as he struck in a volley to make it 3-0 and compound the misery for Forest and Postecoglou.

Moises Caicedo played for a few minutes of the second half with a paper note from the dugout in his hand, brought on by substitute Estevao Willian. It ended up in James’ possession and it was shortly after he tucked it into his socks that he scored the third.

Whatever tactics were written on it, the advice given must have been pretty spot-on.

Moment to savour: Josh Acheampong celebrates scoring his maiden senior goal for Chelsea in front of the travelling fans at the City Ground

Action Images via Reuters

Maresca triple change works wonders

Maresca was watching on from the Peter Taylor Stand rather than the executive boxes, sat with one member of his backroom staff as well as next to Chelsea’s co-sporting director Paul Winstanley.

He was serving his one-game touchline ban following his sending off for a second yellow card as he left his technical area to celebrate the Blues' stoppage-time winner against Liverpool before the international break.

In the first half, he was a picture of nerves. By the 28-minute mark, Chelsea had already committed more errors leading to opposition shots than in any other match they had played in the Premier League this season.

Maresca could be seen with his head in his hands after an Andrey Santos missed volley, and biting his nails as Alejandro Garnacho ran down a blind alley.

But as he made his way to the away dressing room, Maresca was plotting a half-time triple change. Off came the disappointing Romeo Lavia, Garnacho and Andrey Santos. On came Jamie Gittens, Caicedo and Marc Guiu, who stretched the Forest defence and was a nuisance.

Impact: Marc Guiu gave Chelsea a real presence up front after coming on at half-time

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

The plan worked to perfection as Chelsea cruised to victory, but not without their customary red card. Malo Gusto, who had produced a poor individual performance, was sent off for a second booking. That’s now five red cards in Chelsea’s last six games. It would be an impressive feat if it weren't so damning.

Caicedo value made crystal clear

Caicedo did not travel on international duty with Ecuador over the last fortnight and was named on the bench at Forest.

It was the first time he had not been in the Chelsea starting XI in the Premier League since his signing — a run of 65 games — and his absence showed.

A midfield of Andrey Santos, Lavia and Gusto were miles off the pace in the first half as Elliot Anderson and Co ran rings around them, more physical and more hungry for the ball.

It is little surprise that by half-time, Maresca had seen enough and immediately sent Caicedo on for Lavia, also hauling Santos off in favour of Guiu as Joao Pedro took up the No10 role.

It worked brilliantly as Chelsea wrapped up a victory that spelt the end for Postecoglou at Forest after only 39 days. Caicedo’s importance to the Blues was placed in bold, italicised and underlined at the City Ground. By the end, they were deserving winners.