Chelsea 5 – 0 Barrow

Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick as Chelsea eased into the fourth spherical of the Carabao Cup by thumping Barrow 5-0.

Nkunku set the Blues on their approach with an beautiful early double, whereas Paul Farman’s personal purpose following a Joao Felix free-kick made it three earlier than the break at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro Neto added a fourth shortly after the restart in opposition to the facet at the moment sat on the high of League Two – however 63 locations beneath Chelsea within the pyramid. Nkunku then accomplished his treble within the seventy fifth minute following a mistake from Farman.

A snug evening for the Blues on the Bridge

It took simply eight minutes for Chelsea to search out the lead as Joao Felix and Nkunku mixed, with the previous dinking one over the Barrow defenders for the latter to run onto earlier than volleying residence low first time.

Nkunku notched his second after quarter-hour, with a stunning flicked heel end from Malo Gusto’s ball in from the proper. Simply earlier than the half hour it was three, as Felix’s free-kick got here off the publish earlier than bouncing off the again of the unlucky goalkeeper Farman and entering into.

There was no let-up from Chelsea as they added a fourth rapidly after the break. A mistake on the again for Barrow seeing a fast counter end with Mykhailo Mudryk squaring for Neto to faucet in his first purpose for the membership.

Nkunku then made it 5, rounding off his hat-trick, after a slip from Farman as he tried to take the ball away from the striker gave him the chance to slip the ball into an empty internet.

Nkunku hits spectacular hat-trick

Maresca: I like the choice headache

Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca:

“This is the most important thing for me, that they make my choices difficult. Because it means they are all doing well. This is the key point.

“[The amount of changes] relies on the second within the season. You may have accidents and issues. At this second now we have our complete squad accessible and now we have the possibility to share minutes round.

“I’m happy for Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and for all of them.

“I stated already all of them deserved to play from the beginning within the Premier League. They don’t seem to be taking part in on this second however the best way they’ve taken their probability after we’ve given them minutes has been incredible.”

Chelsea’s second-string superstars shine

Sky Sports activities’ Simeon Gholam at Stamford Bridge:

“It was a complete change of XI for Chelsea, but you would have barely known it from the players on the pitch.

“Not often has the disparity within the pyramid been mirrored fairly like this, when a second-string facet incorporates this many multi-million pound gamers and stars.

“Nkunku shone with some fine finishes, Joao Felix pulled the strings just behind him. The wingers Neto and Mudryk looked lively on the wings.

“And all of them are unlikely to be again within the facet when Chelsea are again in Premier League motion on Saturday. Some is not going to even be within the matchday squad.

“Enzo Maresca has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal to say the least.”

Clemence: If that is their second-string group, then wow

Barrow supervisor Stephen Clemence:

“I’m really proud of the boys. It’s difficult when you come to the home of a top-six Premier League team. Even within that league those teams are in a league within itself, and they have some world-class players. If that’s their second-string team, then wow.

“We’re doing rather well within the league and the boys have not come right here and disgraced themselves. Now it is again to our bread and butter. We have first vs second on Saturday.”

What’s subsequent for Chelsea?

Chelsea are again in motion within the Premier League at Stamford Bridge for a 3pm Saturday kick-off in opposition to Brighton.

Barrow have a League Two journey to Gillingham on the similar time – a top-of-the-table conflict.