Chelsea hand Nottingham Forest a 3-0 drubbing at City Ground
A rout in Nottingham
Chelsea were cruising after a dominant 3-0 hammering of Nottingham Forest in a pretty one-sided Premier League Matchday 8 clash at the City Ground.
The Blues had around 30,000 in attendance to cheer them on as they racked up their 3rd consecutive win, and in the process leapfrogged their way to fourth spot on the table with 14 points. Despite a couple of key players missing and losing a couple of centre-backs to injury, Maresca’s side still managed to look almost unstoppable as they claimed their third straight win across all competitions.
And what about the other side of the table, you ask? Well, Nottingham Forest under Ange Postecoglou – yeah that’s right – got their 6th loss in 8 games which has left them reeling – & this being their sixth defeat in eight games, which will go down in history as the second shortest managerial stint in Premier League history – Postecoglou was shown the door just eighteen minutes after the final whistle.
Meanwhile Chelsea were having a great game everywhere you looked – they had 52% possession and racked up an xG of 2.1, while Forest could only manage 17th spot with a paltry 4 points.
Goals
Chelsea got things going in the 49th minute with a Josh Acheampong header – not a bad way to score your first senior goal – and great cross from Pedro Neto. Just three minutes later in the 52nd minute, Pedro Neto doubled the lead – a great move between him & João Pedro involved – and it was all over for the hosts. Reece James put the icing on the cake in the 84th minute, volleying a corner from Marc Cucurella into the net, and it was clear that the fans in the City Ground werent exactly happy.
Player of the Match – Acheampong
Young Josh Acheampong took home the Player of the Match award after his outstanding debut goal and solid defensive display. The young defender showed what all the fuss is about – he’s got loads of potential. And let me tell you, Maresca was raving about him for standing up in the face of that high pressure situation.
Matchday Highlights
Forest started the match on the front foot, with Taiwo Awoniyi missing a couple of early chances and Morgan Gibbs-White firing just wide. But Chelsea – after weathering that storm – pulled themselves together and turned the game on its head. Robert Sánchez was also making some crucial saves for the home side. Forest’s second half was a disaster – Acheampong & Neto’s quick goals gave them all the momentum they needed.
And to make matters worse for the home side, Malo Gusto got himself sent off in the 87th minute after picking up a second yellow card. But it was all a bit too late for Forest, and it was clear that the players were trying to force something that wasn’t going to happen.
Elliot Anderson and Ibrahim Sangaré tried to rally their side but all to no avail – their 19 shots just didnt translate into anything on the scoreboard. Maresca made a few changes at halftime – including bringing on Elneny and the great Alejandro Garnacho – that would eventually turn the tide. Forest fans werent exactly happy and neither was owner Evangelos Marinakis – he was nowhere to be seen after the interval. And now Chelsea will face Brighton while Forest are left staring uncertainty in the face.
