Chelsea, who suffered from injuries, put the pressure on Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglou on Saturday, surviving a poor opening half before winning 3-0.
Pedro Neto fired home from a free kick early in the second half, completely altering the game for the visitors.
Postecoglou, who was let go by Tottenham in June, will now have lost eight games against Forest, which will put owners Evangelos Marinakis’ patience to the test.
Forest, who had a few chances to take the lead in the first half despite starting the day just one point above the relegation zone, was largely helped by Chelsea’s poor defensive performance.
However, they were unable to capitalize, and Enzo Maresca’s men only grew stronger as the match progressed.
Moises Caicedo started the game on the bench, but Chelsea didn’t have a long list of first-team players, including Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, and Enzo Fernandez.
After receiving a red card for his wild celebrations in his team’s win against Liverpool before the international break, Maresca was forced to watch from the City Ground.
– Forest Chances –
Elliot Anderson had a good chance to lead Forest, but he made a poor decision to shoot with his left while positioned in a dangerous position and turned inside.
Morgan Gibbs-White had a chance at the far post moments later, but could not move past the high ball.
After Joao Pedro’s cross over the top, Andrey Santos skewed his shot wide, leaving Maresca with his head in his hands. Chelsea themselves had a chance to lead shortly before half-time.
Chelsea’s first half was strong, and Pedro Neto fired over.
Caicedo, Jamie Gitten, s, and Marc Guiu were brought on by Maresca at the break, earning early rewards as a result.
Read more about Nottingham Forest’s replacement after Chelsea’s defeat.
In the 49th minute, Neto sent in an enticing cross to defender Acheampong, who scored his first senior goal.
Chelsea doubled their lead three minutes later when Neto’s free-kick soared past Matz Sels’ depressing dive and fell to the wall of redshirts.
Neco Williams fired over from close range as Forest had a chance to turn the game around, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez deftly blocked Nikola Milenkovic’s header.
Igor Jesus’ shot on the stretch hit the underside of the post and slammed against the post, which came agonizingly close to pulling a goal back for Forest.
Reece James, the captain for Chelsea, fired home from close range after a corner to make it 3-0 in his 200th game for the club.
Postecoglou was pensive on the touchline as a result of the city ground’s widespread evacuation.
Malo Gusto was sent off for a second yellow card by the young Chelsea side, but the victory put them fourth in the table, just two points clear of Arsenal’s.
At his pre-game press conference on Friday, Postecoglou retorted that if he was given time at a club, it always ends with “me and a trophy” instead of “the other way around.”
However, the Australian’s chances of changing things at Forest, who finished seventh last season under Nuno Espirito Santo, are in decline.
Sean Dyche, a former manager of Burnley and Everton, is reportedly interested in taking Postecoglou’s place.
A potentially unfavorable sign for the Forest boss was Marinakis’s seat was empty with only a quarter of the match remaining.
Source: Channels TV
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