The dull first half was broken up by Maresca's substitution. With Acheampong and Neto's scores, Chelsea gets the advantage. Reece James' late goal seals the game and the final score is Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea.
2025/2026 Premier League
0-3
Match Report
Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Nottingham Forest immediately in the aftermath of a 3-0 defeat against Chelsea, as Pedro Neto scored one and set up another at the City Ground.
Under-fire Postecoglou hit the headlines with Friday's impassioned defence of his time at Forest, and spell last season with Tottenham, but Saturday's loss brought the end of his short tenure.
The hosts announced his exit shortly after the full-time whistle, confirming his departure with a short statement that referenced "a series of disappointing results and performances".
Forest are now winless through his first eight games in all competitions, with home supporters voicing their frustrations after failing to capitalise on an encouraging first half.
Morgan Gibbs-White twice went close as an injury-hit Chelsea, who were without Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, struggled to settle and committed a plethora of errors at the back.
Those missed opportunities were punished when Neto teed up teenager Josh Acheampong to head home his first Premier League goal in the 49th minute.
Neto swiftly added to Forest's frustration when sneaking a low drive through Matz Sels' hands, before Reece James' 84th-minute volley sealed a win that was marred by Malo Gusto's needless sending-off.
A fourth defeat in five Premier League games under Postecoglou leaves Forest 17th on just five points, while Chelsea climb to fourth on 14, ahead of the rest of Saturday's fixtures.
Data Debrief: Postecoglou problems ended with sacking
Postecoglou is the first mid-season Premier League appointment to see his team score just one goal in his first five games in charge since Alan Shearer at Newcastle United in 2009, who would go on to be relegated.
The Australian is the first Forest manager to fail to win any of his first eight games in charge, but may feel hard done by after seeing his side accumulate 2.43 expected goals (xG) to Chelsea's 1.66.
He will not have the chance to make amends after a chastening defeat that was largely down to the brilliant Neto, who both scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for only the second time, previously doing so against Southampton last February.
Acheampong's header also saw Chelsea become the first team to have two teenagers score in the competition this season, after Estevao found the net last time out against Liverpool.
That is in stark contrast to the misery of Forest, who have failed to score in three successive Premier League home games for the first time since October 1998, as pressure mounts on Postecoglou.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' Awoniyi misses a big opportunity after striking the ball wide of the right post
5' Gusto sends a pass into the box but his attempt is thwarted and cleared
10' Anderson received a pass, but the defender quickly stole the ball off him
16' Highlight from Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
20' Gibbs-White's attempt sails a whisker wide of the left post
28' Gibbs-White deprives his opponent of the ball, but the referee blows his whistle
37' Acheampong dribbles the ball and sends a pass but it is blocked by the defender
38' Match Event for Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
39' Andrey Santos' instinctive shot towards goal flashes inches over the top
42' Andrey Santos sends his shot slightly wide of the right post from close range
45' Neto takes aim from outside the box but his attempt goes high
46' Andrey Santos, Garnacho & Lavia are replaced by Guiu, Gittens & Caicedo
49' GOAL! Acheampong nets header as Neto assists! Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea
52' GOAL! Reece James slips it for Neto to score! Nottingham Forest 0-2 Chelsea
57' Guiu fouls as he launches into a thunderous tackle on his opponent
62' Neco Williams misses an absolute sitter after connecting with a cross in the box
65' Milenkovic powers a header but the keeper denies him with a superb save
70' Igor Jesus smashes a shot from inside the box against the crossbar
79' Highlight from Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
81' Match Event for Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
84' GOAL! Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea (Reece James)
87' Gusto makes a bad challenge and is given a SECOND YELLOW CARD!
Line-ups
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Zinchenko, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sangare, Elliot Anderson, Milenkovic, Douglas Luiz, Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Morato, Murillo
Subs: Wood, John Victor, Hudson-Odoi, Ryan Yates, Dominguez, Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, Nicolò Savona, Jair Cunha
Chelsea XI: Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Robert Sánchez, Pedro Neto, João Pedro, Gusto, Garnacho, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong
Subs: Adarabioyo, Jørgensen, Caicedo, Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Facundo Buonanotte, Tyrique George, Estêvão, Guiu