Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Nottingham Forest 19 minutes after Chelsea's Premier League victory at Nottingham Forest's City Ground.

The 60-year-old leaves after only 39 days and eight winless games after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo last month.

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.

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 after 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.

Forest lost six and drew two of his eight matches in charge after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo in September.

Forest analysis: Postecoglou sacked within minutes

Within minutes of the final whistle Postecoglou had been sacked.

At the end there were no chants against Postecoglou and nothing directed at the players, but he did not even get the chance to hold his post-match media duties.

Forest confirmed the news with a brief statement as journalists waited for the Australian in the club's news conference room.

There was resignation rather than anger from the fans as Forest were the better side in the first half and should have made their play count, only for Chelsea to roar back in the second half and be 2-0 up inside six minutes, ending any hope of a Forest revival.

Jesus hitting the bar and the post with one shot as Forest chased the game, summing up Postecoglou's reign - lots of promise with no reward.

Postecoglou started with negative credit with the fan base and he failed to win them - and Marinakis - over.

Chelsea analysis: Young talent but poor discipline

When Gusto was sent off in the 87th minute, it had no bearing on the result but highlighted Chelsea's disciplinary issues.

That red card was Chelsea's fourth in six matches.

Maresca was also banned for celebrating Estevao Willian's late winner against Liverpool before the international break, resulting in a one-match ban.

It was Chelsea's third red card in the Premier League this season - more than any other club.

This is only the third time Chelsea have had three players sent off after eight matches, having done so in the 2001-02 and 2017-18 seasons.

Despite Maresca playing it down, Chelsea's discipline problem can be costly after causing defeat against Manchester United and Brighton, but not on this occasion.

Maresca must address this or risk it becoming a recurring issue. The squad, despite their talent, lack experience, and it was the Premier League's youngest XI of the season on Saturday. (BBC)

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