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Chelsea recovered from one of their most dispiriting halves of football this season to win 3-0 away to Nottingham Forest. Enzo Maresca named the youngest starting lineup in a Premier League game this season, with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer all absent, and the Blues suffered for that decision.
Ange Postecoglou's side should have been out of sight by half-time, having pounced on their opponent's inability to play out from the back without their regular spine, but could not capitalise and find the back of the net.
Maresca reacted by bringing Caicedo, Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu all on at half-time. The trio made an instant impact as the visitors took the lead just four minutes later when Josh Acheampong headed home from Pedro Neto's cross.
The Portuguese winger then turned from provider to goalscorer another three minutes later, firing past Mats Selz after Reece James tapped a close-range free-kick to him. James then wrapped up the three points by thumping the ball in after Selz spilt a corner.
Here, Express Sport has taken a look at how the Chelsea players fared at the City Ground…
Chelsea player ratings vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez - 6
Put in a solid performance and rescued his backline on occasion.
Defence
Malo Gusto - 5
Made a slew of errors in possession and appeared more interested in moving into the No. 10 role than offering his team an option at right-back. Improved in the second half, however, before his late sending off for a second yellow card.
Josh Acheampong - 8
One of the stronger performers at the back and is continuing to stake his claim to be a regular in the team, rewarded with his first senior goal. He stayed forward from a set-piece and rose highest to meet Neto's cross for the breakthrough.
Trevoh Chalobah - 5
Almost gifted Forest an early goal after giving the ball away, only to be rescued by a vital Acheampong intervention. He does not appear as suited to the left side of defence and perhaps it is time for Maresca to throw Jorrel Hato into the team.
Marc Cucurella - 6
A quiet but steady afternoon for the full-back, who dealt with Neco Williams' threat with relative ease.
Midfield
Reece James - 7
As the captain and most senior player on the pitch, James should have taken more action to arrest their clear deficiencies. The half-time changes benefitted the skipper, who provided the slightest touch for Neto to whip a free-kick into the back of the net and then got on the scoresheet himself late on.
Romeo Lavia - 5
Moises Caicedo wasn’t starting a Chelsea league game for the first time since December 2023, and they hadn’t won a match without him since his arrival, with his presence very sorely missed.
Lavia was unable to provide the same stable base to build attacks from and was promptly taken off at half-time for Caicedo.
Andrey Santos - 5
Had a lengthy exchange with Chelsea assistant Willy Caballero over his positioning after just 30 minutes of play, with Chelsea's midfield seriously struggling, and then was taken off at half-time.
Attack
Pedro Neto - 9
Whipped in a dangerous delivery to the back post, expecting Garnacho to arrive ready to prod the ball past Selz, but the Argentine was nowhere to be seen and Neto promptly exploded in rage at his team-mate.
He came alive in the second half, driving past his man and putting another delightful ball into the box, this time it was met by Acheampong who was more than happy to oblige when asked to nod home from close range.
Then, just three minutes later, Neto fired a free-kick from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. At a time without talisman Palmer, Maresca will be relieved to have seen another of his forwards step up.
Joao Pedro - 6
Held the ball up well but was largely isolated from the rest of his team, before being given the opportunity to drop deep when Guiu was introduced off the bench for the second half.
Alejandro Garnacho - 5
Handed only his second league start since moving from Manchester United but struggled to get into the game at all. Very little went right for him and he was hooked for Gittens after just 45 minutes of play.
Substitutes
Moises Caicedo (45') - 7
Maresca will no longer be in doubt. Caicedo must play every minute possible or risk dropping points. He instilled an immediate calmness once he stepped on the pitch and Chelsea transformed into a capable outfit once more.
Marc Guiu (45') - 7
Provided a very impressive focal point up front and allowed Joao Pedro to manoeuvre in the pockets he enjoys. The youngster can expect more playing time in the future after this performance.
Jamie Gittens (45') - 6
A quiet outing but held his width well and provided Chelsea with an option from the left.
Estevao Willian (78') - 6
An impressive few touches and it is clear that the Brazilian is a very bright talent.
Tosin Adarabioyo (80') - 6
Brought on late to calm down the tempo, with Forest pushing to get back into the game.