Acheampong dazzles, Neto shines, £40m star very poor - Chelsea player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Chelsea have moved back into the top four of the Premier League table with a crucial three points away at Nottingham Forest. Second-half goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James blew the hosts away at the City Ground, with Ange Postecoglou coming under increasing pressure.

The Blues seemed really off it in the first half and the absence of Moises Caicedo, who was on the bench, and Enzo Fernandez, who missed out due to a knee injury, seemed to be having a big impact. Enzo Maresca was watching from the stands as he served his one-match touchline ban, so the Chelsea head coach was not able to have the same say as usual, although he would have been communicating to the bench during the game.

Something needed to change at the half-time break. And it most certainly did, with Marc Guiu, Moises Caicedo and Jamie Gittens all being introduced. Something seemed to click immediately.

Acheampong headed in from Pedro Neto's cross, before, just three minutes later, Neto made it two for Chelsea after Reece James laid a free-kick off to the Portugal international. From there on, it was all fairly routine for the visitors in Nottingham.

James then had time to make it three with just minutes left. The Chelsea captain volleyed past Sels to make it three for the visitors but there was still time for the Blues to pick up another red card. Malo Gusto was sent off, making it - including Maresca's - five red cards in six matches in all competitions.

Below, Bobby Vincent rates the Blues players out of 10 based on their performance this afternoon:

Robert Sanchez - 6

Forest had some chances in the first-half but the Spaniard did not have much to do in goal at all.

Reece James - 8

Good to see him back and fit after a minor injury for his 200th appearance for the club. A fine performance where we got to see some of the best of the captain's technical ability, including a superb volley to conclude the scoring for the Blues. Excellent.

Josh Acheampong - 8

Earned his spot after a great display against Liverpool. Once again, calm and composed in possession. Caught out by a bouncing ball around 20 minutes in and was fortunate Forest could not convert what turned out to be a good chance.

A slight mistake there, but one he reacted to superbly. Early in the second-half, the 19-year-old defender headed past Matz Sels to break the deadlock at the City Ground. A first senior goal for Acheampong and what a time to do it.

Trevoh Chalobah - 5

Back after suspension. Asserted his physical dominance very early on with two giant headers in quick succession. However, some sloppy passes gave Forest some encouragement. Not his best today.

Marc Cucurella - 6

Not much of the play went through Cucurella which is quite unusual with Chelsea. The Spaniard, though, was confident in possession as usual. And he also rekindled an old rivalry with Neco Williams.

Malo Gusto - 2

Continued in midfield after impressing against Liverpool. Gave it away needlessly very early on, which created a half chance for Forest. Sloppy in possession. And then, to cap it all off, he picks up a silly red card with the game already won.

Romeo Lavia - 5

First start since June. Uncharacteristically, he could not control a simple pass from Acheampong and it led to a huge Morgan Gibbs-White chance that went just wide. Taken off at half-time.

Pedro Neto - 6

Passed a late fitness test. Looked on it from the start and created a decent chance with some clever dribbling in and around the Forest box.

Andrey Santos - 5

Just his second start of the campaign. Very quiet for the first 40 minutes and then burst into life with two chances in quick succession. The Brazilian, though, was unable to get either on target. He was substituted at the break.

Alejandro Garnacho - 4

Third successive start for the Argentine. Looked a bit sluggish and was not able to offer Chelsea much on the left-hand side. Not his finest afternoon by any stretch. No shock to see him hooked at the break.

Joao Pedro - 6

The Brazilian was unable to get too involved in the game - and that has, unfortunately, been the case more often than not really. It feels like Chelsea are missing an out-and-out No.9 right now. Liam Delap, essentially. Saying that, he looked so much better when he dropped deeper with Guiu coming on in the second half.

Marc Guiu (on for Santos 46') - 7

Nice to see him get some meaningful minutes. Made a real impact. It was Guiu who won the free kick that led to Neto's goal with a fine turn. Really bright.

Moises Caicedo (on for Lavia 46') - 7

He simply had to come on given the first-half performance. Just his presence there seemed to make a difference. Chelsea, all of the sudden, looked a completely different beast in midfield with the Ecuadorian on the pitch.

Jamie Gittens (on for Garnacho 46') - 6

Worked hard defensively. Stops a good chance from forming on 61 minutes with his alertness and work rate.

Estevao Willian (on for Neto 78') - N/A

A tad surprised he didn't start after his heroics against Liverpool but due to the immense amount of travel he had to endure, it does make some sense. Not enough time to make an impact.

Tosin Adarabioyo (on for Acheampong 81') - N/A

Nice to see him back from injury.