Nottingham Forest’s dismal run stretched to eight games without a win after Chelsea inflicted a comprehensive 3-0 defeat on the struggling hosts at the City Ground on Saturday.
Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi, making his first start of the season, could do little to prevent Forest’s capitulation as the Blues ran riot in the second half despite missing key players Cole Palmer and Moisés Caicedo.
Forest began brightly, with Elliot Anderson crowded out in the box following a Chelsea defensive lapse, whilst Morgan Gibbs-White squandered a close-range volley. Andrey Santos also fired narrowly wide after a clever through ball from João Pedro, but the hosts failed to capitalise on their early dominance.
Chelsea emerged from the interval with renewed purpose. Pedro Neto terrorised the Forest defence down the left flank before teeing up Josh Acheampong to break the deadlock. Three minutes later, Neto doubled the advantage with a well-struck free-kick that left the home side reeling.
The visitors continued to dominate proceedings, with Igor Jesus unfortunate to see his header from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s delivery strike both the crossbar and post. Reece James compounded Forest’s misery with a late third, converting from a poorly cleared corner.
“The performance in the second half was exactly what we needed,” Chelsea manager said after the match. “We showed great character to bounce back after a slow start.”
A late red card for Malo Gusto provided the only blemish on an otherwise impressive Chelsea display.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis departed his seat well before the final whistle, a telling sign of the mounting pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou, whose position looks increasingly precarious following the club’s alarming slump.
The victory extended Chelsea’s impressive record at the City Ground, having now won four of their last five visits to the Midlands club.
Forest remain rooted in the relegation zone, their defensive frailties laid bare once again as the winless streak continues to cast a dark shadow over Postecoglou’s tenure.
