Chelsea defeated Forest at the City Groundplaceholder image
Chelsea defeated Forest at the City Ground | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea returned from the East Midlands with all three points after beating Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea took the lead through teenage sensation Josh Acheampong, who popped up with a firm header from close range, turning home and excellent cross from Pedro Neto.
Neto then provided another moment of brilliance when he struck a free-kick low into the near post to make it two. The third came seven minutes from time when Reece James powered home with a low shot after the ball dropped just in front of the penalty spot following a corner.
Acheampong will likely make the headlines from this game, with the 19-year-old continuing to fulfil the faith Enzo Maresca has placed in him. But it was another player who stood out, with winger Neto putting on a top display here, regularly tearing Oleksandr Zinchenko and delivering dangerous balls into the box.
“That is brilliant from Pedro Neto,” pundit Lucy Ward said of Neto’s assist on TNT Sports. “He gets himself into a better position to cross, and Forest struggle to deal with the ball into the box. Josh Acheampong certainly enjoyed that one.”
She added when Neto scored: “What a strike that is. Pedro Neto played his part in the first goal and Ange Postecoglou is making a change. Matz Sels just couldn't keep it out.”
Meanwhile, BBC Sport pundit Rachel Corsie added on the Neto assist: “Great goal. Neto just uses his pace to create the space and it's a great delivery, not fizzed in with lots of pace, it's floated into that six yard box. Acheampong peels off Murillo in the middle and a few yards out he's not going to miss.”
Chelsea defensive questions
While Chelsea left the East Midlands with three points, they did concede chances here, with Robert Sanchez producing a good save around the hour-mark and Forest hit the bar and post with one effort.
“Chelsea have been terrible at the back, they haven’t had a clean sheet in the Premier League since August,” BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards said after the second goal. “You can tell something isn’t right there, they’ve been making too many mistakes.
“Forest look better than they have been and they’ve had the clearest chances. But I worry for them that missing those chances could come back to bite them as Chelsea take the lead.”
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