Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes' post-match review of Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, 18 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Well, that was a proper drubbing at the City Ground, wasn't it? Chelsea strolled away with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, who just couldn't find their footing. The result wasn't a shocker, mind you, given Forest's recent form with three consecutive losses, including this one. Chelsea, on the other hand, have been in fine fettle, extending their winning streak to two after a hiccup against Brighton. It's clear as day that Chelsea's quality shone through, while Forest are still searching for that elusive spark.

The match was a tale of two halves, but Chelsea dominated from start to finish. They bagged all three goals in the second half, showing their ruthlessness in front of goal. Forest tried to rally, but their efforts were in vain. It's a tough pill to swallow for the home fans, but credit where it's due – Chelsea were clinical and deserved the three points.

Looking at the stats, it's no surprise Chelsea walked away with the win. They had a slight edge in possession at 51% to Forest's 49%, but it's their efficiency that made the difference. Despite fewer corners (2 to Forest's 5), Chelsea made their chances count. The successful dribbles percentage was close, with Chelsea at 47% and Forest at 40%, but it's the yellow and red cards that tell a story – Chelsea picked up four yellows and a red, showing their determination to secure the win.

The key moments in this match were all about Chelsea's clinical finishing. They scored three goals in the second half, starting with a goal in the 49th minute, followed by another in the 52nd, and sealing the deal in the 84th. These strikes were the turning points, as Forest struggled to respond after going behind.

Chelsea's ability to score at crucial times was the difference maker. The goals came from well-executed plays, and the timing of the strikes put Forest on the back foot. It was a masterclass in how to kill off a game, and Chelsea did it with precision.

Nottingham Forest lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, with Matz Sels in goal and a back five of Neco Williams, Nikola Milenković, Morato, Murillo, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The midfield trio of Douglas Luiz, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Elliot Anderson tried to control the game, while Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi led the line up top. Despite the effort, the lineup couldn't prevent the defeat, and the four substitutions made didn't change the tide.

Chelsea opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Robert Sánchez between the sticks and a back four of Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella. The midfield was anchored by Malo Gusto and Roméo Lavia, with Pedro Neto, Andrey Santos, and Alejandro Garnacho supporting João Pedro up front. The five substitutions made by Chelsea helped maintain their momentum, and the lineup's balance was key to their victory.

Reece James is Ladbrokes' Man of the Match, and rightly so. He scored one goal and provided an assist, showcasing his attacking prowess from the back. With two key passes, James was instrumental in Chelsea's dominant performance, proving once again why he's a vital part of the squad.

Recent Premier League matches:

• Loss: 0-3 vs Chelsea (H)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Newcastle United (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Sunderland (H)

Recent Premier League matches:

• Win: 3-0 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Liverpool (H)
• Loss: 1-3 vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H)

Sitting in 18th place with just 5 points, Forest need to regroup quickly. Their next game is against Porto on October 23, 2025 at 20:00. This result might force them to rethink their approach, focusing on defensive solidity and capitalising on any opportunities they get. They're back in league action a few days later with a trip to Bournemouth.

With Ange Postecoglou sacked by Nottingham Forest within 20 minutes of losing to Chelsea having failed to win any of his eight games in charge (losing six), the search is on for the next manager.

With 14 points, Chelsea are comfortably in 6th place. They face Ajax on October 22, 2025 at 20:00. This convincing win should boost their confidence, and they'll look to maintain their momentum and continue climbing the table before hosting Sunderland at the weekend.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.