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Match Report: Chelsea step up in second half to beat Nottingham Forest 3-0

Originally posted on Chelsea News | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 5:11 PM ET

Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday after three goals in the second half.

With manager Enzo Maresca sitting in the stands thanks to a touchline ban, the Blues tried to ride the wave of confidence that a last minute over Liverpool last time out had given them. But a sluggish post-international break start put them in worrying positions.

Multiple defensive mistakes and some timid performances from what looked like an underprepared side handed the home team several chances to go ahead. They spurned them all, but at half time it was clear changes were needed.

Maresca broke the emergency glass right away and brought on Moises Caicedo for the ineffective Romeo Lavia, as well as Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu in attack.

His team were much better after that, but in large part that was down to just a couple of moments rather than a hugely improved attacking performance. A burst down the line from Pedro Neto following a set piece set up a first professional goal for Josh Acheampong. The winger then lashed in a free kick minutes later.

The double salvo broke Forest’s back, and they barely threatened again. Chelsea added a third when Reece James lashed in from close range at a corner. It was a comfortable win in the end – one that even a silly late red for Malo Gusto couldn’t spoil – but things were very close to being very different.

Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Wesley Fofana can’t return soon enough.

Forest manager Ange Postecoglou’s sacking was announced just 17 minutes after full time. The win keeps Chelsea in the cluster of teams sitting a few points behind table-topping Arsenal.

MOTM – Reece James

Analysis

The half time changes which seemed to swing things in Chelsea’s favour saw Marc Guiu introduced up top, with Joao Pedro then able to drop deeper. That suited both of them. Guiu ran around gamely as he usually does, stretching Forest’s back 3 and forming a pocket for JP to play in.

There still wasn’t much to write home about in an attacking sense – outside set pieces, our main threat came from James down the right. Alejandro Garnacho was poor on the left in the first half, and Jamie Gittens wasn’t much better replacing him.

Guiu has likely earned himself more game time here, and has intensified the hope that Joao Pedro and our whole attack will really click when Liam Delap is back to play number 9.