Neto shines as Chelsea sink Forest | OneFootball

Chelsea produced a commanding performance at the City Ground to secure a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

The first half was fairly even in terms of possession, but the visitors began to take control after the break.

The breakthrough came in the 49th minute, when Josh Acheampong headed home from close range following a fine cross from Pedro Neto, marking his first goal for the club.

Just three minutes later, Neto turned provider into scorer, curling a precise free-kick into the bottom corner to put Chelsea two up.

Forest had opportunities to get back into the game - Neco Williams squandered a gilt-edged chance, Igor Jesus rattled the woodwork, and Robert Sanchez made key saves to keep Chelsea ahead.

The Blues wrapped up the victory in the 84th minute, with Reece James netting from a corner on his 200th appearance for the club. Even a late red card for Malo Gusto did little to threaten the clean sheet, as Chelsea’s defence stood firm to secure a comprehensive win.

The victory moves Enzo Maresca's side within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, while Forest remain just above the relegation zone, still searching for their first league triumph under Ange Postecoglou.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

Missed opportunity. Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes just wide to the right.

1':

Missed opportunity! Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes just wide.

1':

The match begins

4':

Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest commits a foul.

4':

Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest committed a foul.

6':

Morato commits a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

6':

Marc Cucurella committed a foul for Chelsea.

12':

Josh Acheampong from Chelsea committed a foul.

15':

Ibrahim Sangaré committed a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

19':

Ibrahim Sangaré committed a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

19':

Missed opportunity! Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that narrowly went wide to the left. The assist came from Taiwo Awoniyi.

20':

Missed opportunity! Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest took a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box, but it narrowly missed the target. The assist came from Douglas Luiz, who set him up with a header.

21':

Neco Williams committed a foul for Nottingham Forest.

23':

Roméo Lavia from Chelsea committed a foul.

26':

Malo Gusto commits a foul for Chelsea.

26':

Andrey Santos from Chelsea committed a foul.

28':

Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest committed a foul.

30':

Roméo Lavia from Chelsea committed a foul.

32':

Malo Gusto commits a foul for Chelsea.

35':

Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest committed a foul.

39':

Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest committed a foul.

39':

Opportunity wasted! Andrey Santos from Chelsea took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, coming very close to scoring. The assist was provided by João Pedro, who set him up with a header.

40':

Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest committed a foul.

41':

Morato committed a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

43':

Elliot Anderson committed a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

45':

Opportunity wasted. Pedro Neto from Chelsea attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

45':

Alejandro Garnacho committed a foul on a Chelsea player.

45 +1':

Opportunity wasted. Pedro Neto from Chelsea takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area that just grazes past the goal. The assist came from Malo Gusto.

48':

Igor Jesus committed a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

Chelsea takes the lead against Nottingham Forest, making it 1-0. Josh Acheampong scores with a header from close range!Nottingham Forest 0, Chelsea 1. Josh Acheampong scores for Chelsea, heading the ball from close range into the top left corner. The assist comes from Pedro Neto, who delivered a precise cross.

49':

GOAL Chelsea: Josh Acheampong (Chelsea) scores!

Josh Acheampong scores goal number 1 in the competition (4 matches) Josh Acheampong scores goal number 2 for his team (20 matches)

51':

Morato commits a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

51':

Morato commits a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

Chelsea extends their lead to 2-0 against Nottingham Forest. Pedro Neto scores with a left-footed shot from a free kick, placing the ball perfectly into the bottom right corner.Chelsea leads Nottingham Forest 2-0. Pedro Neto scores for Chelsea with a left-footed shot from a free kick, placing it perfectly into the right corner.Chelsea doubles their lead against Nottingham Forest, making it 2-0. Pedro Neto scores with a left-footed shot from a free kick, placing it perfectly into the right corner of the net.

52':

GOAL Chelsea: Pedro Neto (Chelsea) scores!

Pedro Neto scores goal number 2 in the competition (8 matches) Pedro Neto scores goal number 12 for his team (63 matches)

54':

Malo Gusto commits a foul for Chelsea.

54':

Malo Gusto commits a foul for Chelsea.

57':

Marc Guiu committed a foul on a Chelsea player.

57':

Marc Guiu committed a foul on a Chelsea player.

58':

Missed opportunity. João Pedro of Chelsea took a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the left.

60':

Moisés Caicedo from Chelsea committed a foul.

69':

Opportunity wasted. Marc Guiu of Chelsea attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but directed it to the left of the goal.

69':

Missed opportunity! Marc Guiu of Chelsea attempted a header from the middle of the box but sent it wide to the left. The cross was delivered by Pedro Neto.

71':

Opportunity wasted! Marc Guiu from Chelsea took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right of the goal. The assist came from Trevoh Chalobah after a quick counterattack.

75':

Marc Guiu from Chelsea committed a foul.

75':

Marc Guiu from Chelsea committed a foul.

76':

Missed opportunity. Ibrahim Sangaré from Nottingham Forest takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes over the goal and to the right.

80':

Igor Jesus committed a foul on a Nottingham Forest player.

Nottingham Forest 0, Chelsea 3. Reece James scores for Chelsea, firing a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the middle of the net following a corner.

84':

Malo Gusto from Chelsea commits a foul.

84':

GOAL Chelsea: Reece James (Chelsea) scores!

Reece James scores goal number 1 in the competition (8 matches)

87':

Estêvão from Chelsea committed a foul.

87':

Red Card for Malo Gusto (Chelsea)

Malo Gusto has now picked up 0 red in the competition (7 matches)

89':

Estêvão from Chelsea committed a foul.

90 +1':

Missed opportunity! Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest attempted a header from the center of the box but couldn't find the target. The chance was set up by Elliot Anderson, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match