Chelsea 3-0 Nottingham Forest; Palmer Out Six Weeks

Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground, moving within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, with Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James scoring after Enzo Maresca's halftime substitutions swung the game in Chelsea's favour. Maresca defended his decision not to start 19-year-old Marc Guiu after Alan Shearer praised Guiu's influential cameo, and said he had shifted the side to a more natural No.9. The defeat left Forest perilously close to the relegation zone and increased scrutiny on manager Ange Postecoglou. Maresca confirmed Cole Palmer will be sidelined for around six weeks with a recurring groin problem and is likely to return in late November; Enzo Fernández has knee inflammation but is expected to be available, Moises Caicedo and Reece James were rested during the break, and Benoit Badiashile remains out until December. Nottingham Forest Women drew 1-1 with Everton in the Women's League Cup at Goodison Park, Aimee Claypole converting a penalty as manager Carly Davies praised her young squad and the club's ambition to return to the WSL.