The China Mail - Liverpool stunned by Forest, Chelsea boost title charge

The spluttering champions fell behind in the 33rd minute when Murillo's fierce strike punished their failure to deal with Elliot Anderson's corner.

Reds boss Arne Slot was fuming that the goal was allowed despite Forest's Dan Ndoye appearing to obstruct Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker -- an offence that led Virgil van Dijk's equaliser to be disallowed in the 3-0 loss at Manchester City before the international break.

Sean Dyche's side doubled their lead after 46 minutes when Nicolo Savona slotted home from Neco Williams' cut-back.

With Liverpool's defence in disarray, Morgan Gibbs-White scored Forest's third from the rebound after Omari Hutchinson's shot was saved in the 78th minute.

Beaten by Forest at Anfield for a second successive season, Liverpool have lost eight of their last 11 games in all competitions, including six of their last seven in the top-flight.

It is the first time Liverpool have lost consecutive league games by a three-goal margin since 1965.

Slot admitted on Friday that Liverpool's players are still affected by the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a crash crash in Spain in July.

And once again they were devoid of inspiration and energy in another lethargic display that left them languishing in 11th place, eight points behind leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool's stunning decline comes after a summer spending spree of over £400 million ($523 million).

Alexander Isak was hauled off in the second half of his fourth league start for Liverpool following a British record move from Newcastle that has failed to live up to the hype.

Sweden striker Isak has yet to score for the Reds in the top-flight.

At Turf Moor, Pedro Neto's diving header put Chelsea ahead just before the interval and Enzo Fernandez netted in the closing stages.

Enzo Maresca's side climb to second place and sit three points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Tottenham on Sunday.

The Blues have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, making it a memorable 50th Premier League game in charge for Maresca.

- Wolves lose Edwards' debut -

It was the ideal warm-up for Chelsea ahead of a crucial week featuring home games against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the Premier League on November 30.

The west Londoners would drop back down to third place if Manchester City avoid defeat against Newcastle later on Saturday, but regardless of that result, their hard-fought victory in freezing Lancashire added to their title momentum.

"It's tough after the international break, 12:30, Burnley away, it's always a hard game. But the way we competed I'm very happy," Maresca said.

"It was very important to keep the momentum from before the international break."

West Ham blew a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Former Cherries forward Callum Wilson put West Ham in front after 12 minutes and produced another fine finish in the 35th minute.

But Marcus Tavernier's 69th minute penalty, awarded for Max Kilman's handball, sparked a Bournemouth fightback that climaxed with Enes Unal's 81st minute equaliser.

New Wolves manager Rob Edwards suffered a 2-0 debut defeat against fourth-placed Crystal Palace at Molineux.

Edwards has been tasked with saving Wolves from relegation after arriving from second tier Middlesbrough to replace the sacked Vitor Pereira.

But Edwards, who played over 100 times for Wolves, was unable to spark an immediate revival from his bottom of the table team.

Daniel Munoz gave Palace a 63rd minute lead and Yeremy Pino netted six minutes later to leave Wolves, beaten in 10 of their 12 league games, sitting nine points from safety.

Brighton came from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.

Brentford's Igor Thiago scored a 29th minute penalty, but Danny Welbeck bagged Brighton's 71st minute leveller and Jack Hinshelwood netted in the 84th minute.

Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen saved Thiago's stoppage-time penalty to preserve the win.

Raul Jimenez's 84th minute goal gave Fulham a 1-0 victory against Sunderland at Craven Cottage.

H.Ng--ThChM