Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 with a whirlwind start to the second half, Josh Acheampong headed in from Pedro Neto’s delivery before Neto curled home a free-kick. Reece James added a late third, and Malo Gusto was sent off in the dying moments, though the points were already secure.
Forest had dominated before the interval but failed to convert their chances, a wastefulness that proved fatal. Within minutes of full time, Ange Postecoglou was dismissed by Forest after eight games without a win in a 39-day tenure, with owner Evangelos Marinakis having left the directors' box around 15 minutes into the second half.
Forest promise, squandered chances, and a souring mood
Ange Postecoglou's selection of Taiwo Awoniyi for his first start since a serious abdominal injury that led to an induced coma last season set an urgent tone. Forest went direct to the striker: within the opening minute, he scuffed a low effort at goal, then helped create danger when Elliot Anderson lost his footing after cutting inside Josh Acheampong.