Liverpool shocked by Forest defeat as Chelsea advances title bid

Struggling Liverpool endured another dismal day in their poor campaign, suffering a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest, as Chelsea secured a 2-0 win over Burnley to intensify their pursuit of the Premier League crown on Saturday.

The faltering title holders trailed from the 33rd minute when Murillo's powerful effort capitalised on their inability to clear Elliot Anderson's corner kick.

Manager Arne Slot expressed fury over the goal being permitted, despite Forest's Dan Ndoye seemingly impeding Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, a similar incident that resulted in Virgil van Dijk's goal being ruled out during the 3-0 setback against Manchester City prior to the international fixtures.

Sean Dyche's team extended their advantage just after the restart in the 46th minute, with Nicolo Savona converting from Neco Williams' low cross.

As Liverpool's backline continued to falter, Morgan Gibbs-White tapped in Forest's third goal off the rebound following Omari Hutchinson's effort being parried in the 78th minute.

Marking the second straight season Liverpool have been defeated by Forest at Anfield, the side has now dropped points in eight of their past 11 outings across all tournaments, including six from their most recent seven league encounters.

This marks the initial occasion since 1965 that Liverpool have conceded three goals in each of two successive top-division matches.

Slot confessed on Friday that the squad remains impacted by the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain back in July.

Yet again, they lacked creativity and vigour in yet another sluggish performance, which has left them mired in 11th position, trailing leaders Arsenal by eight points.

The Reds' sharp downturn follows a hefty summer investment exceeding £400 million ($523 million).

Alexander Isak was substituted during the latter stages of his fourth league appearance for Liverpool, after a record-breaking transfer from Newcastle that has yet to deliver the expected impact.

The Swedish forward Isak is still awaiting his first Premier League goal for his new club.

At Turf Moor, Pedro Neto's acrobatic dive header gave Chelsea the edge right before half-time, and Enzo Fernandez added a late strike.

Under Enzo Maresca, the team has risen to second in the standings, just three points adrift of Arsenal, who face Tottenham on Sunday.

Chelsea have triumphed in eight of their last 10 fixtures in various competitions, marking a notable 50th Premier League match at the helm for Maresca.

Wolves fall in Edwards' first match

This result serves as perfect preparation for Chelsea entering a vital period, with upcoming home fixtures against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the Premier League on November 30.

The capital club could slip to third if Manchester City secure at least a draw versus Newcastle later Saturday, yet irrespective of the outcome, their gritty success in chilly Lancashire bolsters their championship aspirations.

"Post-international break games are challenging, especially a 12:30 kick-off away at Burnley, it is invariably tough. However, our level of fight pleases me greatly," Maresca commented.

"Maintaining the form from before the break was crucial."

West Ham squandered a two-goal advantage, finishing 2-2 against Bournemouth.

Ex-Cherries striker Callum Wilson opened the scoring for West Ham in the 12th minute and followed with another classy effort in the 35th.

Nevertheless, Marcus Tavernier's spot-kick in the 69th minute, given after Max Kilman's handball, ignited Bournemouth's resurgence, culminating in Enes Unal's leveller in the 81st.

New Wolves boss Rob Edwards faced a 2-0 loss in his debut against fourth-placed Crystal Palace at Molineux.

Edwards arrived from second-division Middlesbrough to succeed the dismissed Vitor Pereira, with the mission to rescue Wolves from the drop zone.

Despite his extensive playing history with Wolves exceeding 100 appearances, Edwards could not ignite an instant turnaround for the last-placed outfit.

Daniel Munoz opened the scoring for Palace in the 63rd minute, and Yeremy Pino struck six minutes after to condemn Wolves, winless in 10 of 12 league games, to nine points below the safety mark.

Brighton overturned a deficit to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.

Brentford's Igor Thiago converted a penalty in the 29th minute, but Danny Welbeck equalised for Brighton in the 71st, and Jack Hinshelwood sealed it in the 84th.

Brighton custodian Bart Verbruggen denied Thiago from the penalty spot in added time to secure the points.

Raul Jimenez's effort in the 84th minute clinched a 1-0 success for Fulham over Sunderland at Craven Cottage.