Chelsea ran out dominant 3-0 winners over Nottingham Forest to kick off the weekend’s Premier League football, although Leon Osman believes Enzo Maresca won’t be happy with all of his players.
The Blues struggled for the first half at the City Ground, however eventually found the breakthrough via Josh Acheampong’s first senior goal for the club.
Pedro Neto quickly added to this with a clever free-kick routine, before club captain Reece James rounded off proceedings with a goal to mark his 200th Chelsea appearance.
As has been a common theme of late, the Blues could not finish the game with all 11 players on the pitch. Malo Gusto was sent off for a second bookable offence late on.
Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Premier League
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Leon Osman says Enzo Maresca will be ‘incensed’ by Malo Gusto
Chelsea finished the game with 10 men, something that has become alarmingly regular for them already this season.
Thankfully the incident had no impact on the game, however Leon Osman believes Maresca, who was watching from the stands due to serving his own suspension, will be disappointed that the red card even occurred.
He said to BBC Sport: “The manager will be incensed by that red card. It’s one of those moments where you are on top in the game, things are going well, you are feeling great, all the chances and tackles are going your way. In hindsight it is the stupidest tackle in the world to make.”
The Frenchman had been playing in a midfield role in the absence of both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez from the starting side, however will now be missing for next week’s game against Sunderland.
FBL-ENG-PR-NOTTINGHAM FOREST-CHELSEA
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Chelsea’s discipline problem
Gusto’s sending off makes it three red cards so far in the Premier League this season, with Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah’s dismissals costing them games against Manchester United and Everton.
Joao Pedro also saw red in their last Champions League game, meaning he will be unavailable for the visit of Ajax to Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea owners were unfazed by Maresca’s red due to the passion he showed, however there will be more concern regarding the Blues frequently having to play with 10 men this season.
Gusto is the latest to fall foul, putting the only asterisk on a near perfect away performance that has since signalled the end of Ange Postecoglou’s time in charge.