![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/2.49366224.jpg\")
Callum Hudson-Odoi fired a confidence-boosting first Chelsea goal in four months as the Blues saw off Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\nCallum Hudson-Odoi fired a confidence-boosting first Chelsea goal in four months as the Blues saw off Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old England forward drilled home the opener then had a hand in Ross Barkley\u2019s facile finish as Frank Lampard\u2019s side coasted into the fourth round of the FA Cup.<\/p>\n
Forest had a penalty chalked off after a Video Assistant Referee review, and Ryan Yates\u2019 header ruled out for offside.<\/p>\n
But this still remained a comfortable Chelsea win, and one to leave head coach Lampard eyeing an upturn in home form.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi will hope his first Blues goal since the 7-1 Carabao Cup victory over Grimsby on September 25 can propel him back to top form.<\/p>\n
The teenager found himself clutching his right Achilles after one heavy challenge, however, in a small reminder of his continued drive back from surgery in April.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi appeared to suffer no after-effects from the robust tackle, but evidently remains mindful of that Achilles tear that yielded a premature end to last season.<\/p>\n
Lampard has been at pains to shield the talented winger from criticism following a below-par performance in the Boxing Day 2-0 home loss to Southampton, while also demanding a hike in quality.<\/p>\n
This was certainly a step in the right direction for a young man around whom Chelsea can build their long-term attacking blueprint.<\/p>\n
While Barkley toasted his first Blues appearance since October with a tap-in, the England midfielder continues the search for full form and fluency.<\/p>\n
Lampard questioned Barkley\u2019s professionalism after a row with a Liverpool taxi driver in September, then reminded him to be on his guard after he was pictured topless on a night out in November.<\/p>\n
Whatever encouragements Barkley provided in a tidy enough outing, this was surely still some way shy of the level required for a return to Lampard\u2019s first XI.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi needed just six minutes to set Chelsea rolling, cutting in off the right flank to drill past Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith at his near post.<\/p>\n
The young England forward then produced a fine defense-splitting pass for Pedro, but the Spaniard could only strike Michy Batshuayi\u2019s heel.<\/p>\n
Had Pedro been able to whip the ball around the Blues\u2019 Belgium striker, he would likely have doubled the hosts\u2019 lead.<\/p>\n
Forest battled to make that reprieve count, and thought they had won a penalty when 17-year-old Alex Mighten drew a foul from Fikayo Tomori in the area.<\/p>\n
Referee Peter Bankes pointed to the spot, only for the penalty to be chalked off by the VAR for offside.<\/p>\n
Chelsea were in no mood to waste their own let-off, and promptly regained control.<\/p>\n
Barkley angled a raking ball out to Hudson-Odoi on the right and he cut into the area again before firing across the face of Smith\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n
A sloppy parry gifted Barkley a tap-in, and the Blues a 2-0 lead, just past the half-hour.<\/p>\n
Chelsea eased to the break in complete control and were hardly troubled after the interval either.<\/p>\n
Even when Yates nodded home a Forest free-kick, the offside flag came to Chelsea\u2019s aid.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi continued to raid the flanks, whipping in several dangerous crosses. Batshuayi certainly should have buried the best of the lot, but he could only hack high and wide.<\/p>\n