Arsenal fans have taunted Ange Postecoglou during the Australian’s debut as Nottingham Forest manager, which ended in a 3-0 away loss.
Ange-ball was “impossible” to implement as Ange Postecoglou’s managerial stint at Nottingham Forest began with a tough 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
The Australian was sacked by Tottenham in June, but he was back in the Premier League hot seat on Saturday against a rampant Gunners outfit who showed why they are one of the favourites for this season’s title.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi scored a double and Viktor Gyokeres an easy tap-in during the rout.
Postecoglou had just days to get his squad ready for the match following the controversial sacking of Portuguese boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who fell out with Forest’s Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis.
“Impossible,” Postecoglou said during his pre-match interview when asked if there had been enough time to bed down his principles.
And after Saturday’s result he admitted: “Disappointing with the outcome. It’s not nice losing any game.
“They’re a very good side and pretty formidable at home. But even in that context, it’s disappointing.”
Arsenal fans were quick to remind Postecoglou of the cut-throat nature of the EPL, chanting: “You’re going to get sacked in the morning” midway through the second half.
Then shortly after Forest conceded their third goal in the 79th minute, Arsenal fans taunted Postecoglou again by singing: “Are you Tottenham in disguise?”
Forest are now one win, one draw and two losses after four league games, with the former Socceroos boss facing a big task to get his players up to speed over the coming weeks and months.
Arsenal dominated the first half, unleashing 11 shots to one and enjoying 60 per cent possession as they produced wave after wave of attacks.
But it took a wonder strike from Zubimendi in the 32nd minute to finally break them.
A defensive header from a corner looped to Zubimendi, and the Spaniard unleashed a wicked volley that took a slight deflection and slammed into the back of the net.
Postecoglou’s halftime pep talk came to nothing as Arsenal made it 2-0 just 46 seconds into the second half when Eberechi Eze squared the ball to Gyokeres.
And it was game over in the 79th minute when Zubimendi headed home.
Elsewhere, Postecoglou’s former Spurs side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over 10-man West Ham United.
Chelsea missed a chance to go top after conceding in the third minute of added time to draw 2-2 at Brentford.
Cole Palmer needed just five minutes to make an impact on his return from a groin injury.
The 56th-minute substitute stroked home Chelsea’s equaliser with a calm finish into the bottom corner.
Moises Caicedo lashed home in the 85th to put Blues ahead but there was still time for Fabio Carvalho to earn the Bees a point.
Newcastle United welcomed a new goalscoring hero following the departure of Alexander Isak as Nick Woltemade struck a debut winner in a 1-0 defeat of bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The German headed home after 29 minutes at St James’ Park, securing the Magpies’ first win of the season and leaving Wolves still without a point.
An Antoine Semenyo penalty just after the hour proved decisive as Bournemouth beat Brighton Hove & Albion 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium.
Gabriel Gudmundsson headed into his own net as Fulham snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win over Leeds United at Craven Cottage.
The Everton-Aston Villa and Crystal Palace-Sunderland fixtures finished 0-0.
Source: AAP
