‘OUTSTANDING!’ – PUNDITS APPLAUD CHELSEA ACE IN FOREST VICTORY
Chelsea secured a vital 3-0 away win at Nottingham Forest, with Pedro Neto starring. The winger provided a superb assist for Josh Acheampong and scored a brilliant free-kick, with Reece James adding a late third.
After an impressive first half from Forest, Chelsea scored three goals in the second period
Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest and came back from the East Midlands with all three points.
To build on their late victory against Liverpool before the international break, Chelsea defeated Nottingham Forest away from home on Saturday. The game at the City Ground was quite entertaining and open, especially in the second half.
Josh Acheampong, a teenage star, gave Chelsea the lead after putting home a superb Pedro Neto cross with a strong header from close range.
Then, in yet another brilliant moment, Neto made it two with a low free-kick inside the near post. After a corner, the ball fell right in front of the penalty spot, and seven minutes from time, Reece James scored with a low effort.
With the 19-year-old continuing to live up to the trust that Enzo Maresca has placed in him, Acheampong is certain to create headlines from this game. However, a different player was the star of the show. Here, winger Neto consistently tore Oleksandr Zinchenko and sent dangerous balls into the box.
On TNT Sports, commentator Lucy Ward praised Pedro Neto's assist, saying, "That is great from Neto." He improves his position to cross, and Forest finds it difficult to control the ball as it enters the box. Josh Acheampong relished that one, no doubt.
"What a strike that is," she continued after Neto scored. Ange Postecoglou is making a shift, and Pedro Neto contributed to the first goal. Matz Sels was unable to contain it.
Rachel Corsie, a BBC Sport analyst, commented on the Neto assist, saying, "Excellent goal." It is a fantastic delivery, not fizzed in with loads of pace, but it is floated into the six-yard box, and Neto simply uses his pace to create the space. Acheampong is not going to miss when he rips off Murillo in the middle and a few yards out.
Chelsea's Defensive Tactics
Chelsea gave up chances here, though, as Forest hit the bar and post with one attempt, and Robert Sanchez made a wonderful save at the hour mark. Despite this, Chelsea left the East Midlands with three points.
Following the second goal, BBC Sport commentator Micah Richards declared, "Chelsea have been awful at the back; they have not had a clean sheet in the Premier League since August." "They have been making too many mistakes, so you can tell something is wrong there.
"The forest has got the best opportunities and looks better than it has in the past. However, as Chelsea takes the lead, I fear that they may regret not taking advantage of those opportunities.
GOAL OF MONTH SHORTLIST INCLUDES WOLTEMADE’S BRILLIANT STRIKE
Newcastle's German star Leon Woltemade is nominated for Premier League Goal of the Month for his superb flick against Brighton. Vote now for the summer signing's improvised Amex finish.
Woltemade receives Goal of the Month nomination - Credit: Getty Images
Earlier this month, the Magpies fell 2-1 against Brighton, but the German international's incredible flick tied the score.
However, the summer acquisition, who has scored six goals for United since joining from Stuttgart in the summer, grabbed attention at the Amex Stadium with a superb improvised finish from Lewis Miley's low cross.
Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert of Bournemouth, Zian Flemming and Loum Tchaouna of Burnley, Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, Aston Villa's Emi Buendia, and Mo Salah of Liverpool are also on the shortlist.
Supporters of the Magpies may cast their votes for Woltemade by visiting here, and voting will begin at 1 pm GMT on Thursday, October 30. The winner will be revealed on Friday, November 7th at 1 pm GMT.
HUGE LISANDRO MARTINEZ UPDATE EMERGES AS UNITED PREPARE FOR FOREST ENCOUNTER
Manchester United receive a major boost as Lisandro Martinez returns to first-team training. The Argentine defender has been out since February with a knee injury and is now closing in on a first-team return.
Martinez injury boost lifts United spirits ahead of Nottingham Forest trip - COURTESY/PHOTO
Lisandro Martinez returns to first-team training, giving Manchester United a significant conditioning boost ahead of their Premier League matchup against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Lisandro Martinez has returned to first-team training for Manchester United, giving them a significant fitness boost ahead of their Premier League matchup against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Due to a serious knee injury sustained during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace, the Argentina international has not played for the 20-time English champions since early February.
However, Martinez has been speeding up his recuperation in recent weeks, and on Wednesday, the former Ajax centre-back was allowed to rejoin his teammates for training.
It is extremely doubtful that Martinez will play for Man United when they travel to Forest on Saturday, but the 27-year-old might return to the team for the match against Tottenham Hotspur on November 9.
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United resumes training with the first team.
According to Man United head coach Ruben Amorim, "He’s feeling fine," last week. "I do not want to mention a single day or week because the knee is doing so wonderfully.
"I am not sure, but the team's training is about to begin. After that, Licha's rhythm will determine whether he places or not, but he is closer to starting training again.
The Red Devils will not be taking any chances with the Argentine because of the severity of the injury, and his return may be postponed until after the international break in November.
Luke Shaw's place in the starting lineup is now seriously threatened; therefore, Martinez's return is a significant boost for the 20-time English champions. Martinez is an expert in the left-sided role in the back three.
After joining Old Trafford from Ajax in the summer of 2022, the South American has made 91 appearances for the Red Devils, tallying three goals and three assists.