Ange Postecoglou sacked just minutes after Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Chelsea – reaction

Ange Postecoglou’s future hangs by a thread after three second-half goals secured Chelsea’s Premier League victory at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, extending Forest’s winless run to eight games.

Defender Josh Acheampong and winger Pedro Neto scored just after half-time, prompting chants of “you don’t know what you are doing” from the home supporters after Postecoglou reacted by immediately bringing on Callum Hudson-Odoi, before captain Reece James sealed victory in a 3-0 win for Chelsea.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis left the directors’ box after 66 minutes, with Postecoglou’s future understood to be under scrutiny.

Postecoglou will bemoan Forest’s failure to capitalise on a dominant first half, when striker Taiwo Awoniyi, making his first start since a serious abdominal injury left him in a coma last season, missed an early chance. Morgan Gibbs-White also missed two first-half chances.

Chelsea struggled with a makeshift midfield, missing the injured Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, while Moises Caicedo started on the bench.

However, three half-time changes by manager Enzo Maresca, including the introduction of star midfielder Caicedo, helped turn the game.

Acheampong, 19, was unmarked when he headed home Neto’s cross from close range four minutes after the interval. Neto curled a free-kick past Forest’s wall and goalkeeper Matz Sels three minutes later.

James volleyed in a third a poor Sels clearance and Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was sent off for a second yellow card in a hectic last few moments of the match.

Postecoglou was seen shaking his head minutes earlier after defender Neco Williams volleyed over when unmarked. Substitute striker Igor Jesus then hit the post and bar as poor finishing cost Forest.

It may also cost Postecoglou his job with six defeats with two draws in his first eight matches since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo in September.

Ange Postecoglou has been sacked by Nottingham Forest after just eight games in charge. Postecoglou lasted just 39 days in charge of Forest, the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history.

Quickfire goals from Josh Acheampong and Pedro Neto condemned Postecoglou to another defeat as Chelsea earned a 3-0 win at the City Ground.

A club statement said, “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The club will make no further comment at this time.”

The hosts wasted a series of decent chances in the first half and were punished after the break. The 19-year-old Acheampong was left unmarked to score his first Chelsea goal from Neto’s cross. Just minutes later, Neto thrashed a free-kick through the wall to double Chelsea’s lead, before Reece James added a third late on.

Postecoglou faced more chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” with club owner Evangelos Marinakis leaving his seat after 66 minutes and the home supporters flooding towards the exits when James scored the third.

Analysis of Chelsea: Young talent but lack of discipline
Gusto’s dismissal in the 87th minute brought attention to Chelsea’s disciplinary problems but had little impact on the outcome.

Chelsea have been sent off four times in a row with that red card.

In addition, Maresca received a one-match suspension for celebrating Estevao Willian’s late goal against Liverpool before to the international break.

Chelsea received more red cards than any other team in the Premier League this season with this one.

In the 2001–02 and 2017–18 seasons, Chelsea had three players sent off after eight games, making this the third time this has happened.

Even though Maresca downplays it, Chelsea’s lack of discipline can be expensive after losing to Brighton and Manchester United, but not this time.

Maresca needs to take care of this or else it can become a persistent problem. Despite their talent, the team lacks experience, and on Saturday, they were the youngest starting lineup in the Premier League.