AFCON 2025
Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 to move into the top four and end Ange Postecoglou’s time as manager.
GET IN!!! 👏🔵#CFC | #NFOCHE pic.twitter.com/r8lyDvEvQy
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 18, 2025
Enzo Maresca watched from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban, but a trio of half-time changes turned a game in which they initially struggled to gain a foothold in their favour.
Two goals in the space of three minutes settled the contest, Josh Acheampong’s first goal for the club, followed by a free-kick from the instrumental Pedro Neto, with Reece James marking his 200th appearance for the club with an 84th-minute goal.
Chelsea move within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, while Forest are still just a point above the relegation zone ahead of the remainder of the weekend’s fixtures.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s scuffed effort when through on goal set the tone for another frustrating afternoon for Forest.
Morgan Gibbs-White twice fired off-target after Chelsea lost the ball in their own half, with the Blues uncharacteristically sloppy in the first-half absence of midfielder Moises Caicedo, who was named on the bench as part of three changes from the win over Liverpool by Maresca.
Forest’s day was summed up when Igor Jesus hit the crossbar and the post from point-blank range, and the game was put beyond doubt by James after the hosts failed to clear a corner.
Malo Gusto was sent off for a second yellow card three minutes later, but that was only a footnote as Chelsea condemned Postecoglou to an eighth game without a win as Forest boss.
