Chelsea have cruised through to the fourth round of this season’s Carabao Cup with a resounding 5-0 victory against Barrow in west London.
Enzo Maresca made 11 changes from the team that beat West Ham United at the weekend. However, it was a sharp start from the side he fielded in SW6.
Christopher Nkunku handed Chelsea an early lead against the League Two side. The French forward volleyed past Paul Farman excellently after being found by an impressive pass from Joao Felix on the edge of the box.
It was soon 2-0 when Nkunku struck again moments later. The 26-year-old flicked the ball past Farman expertly after being found by his countryman Malo Gusto on the right-hand side.
Farman, the Barrow goalkeeper, then scored an own goal, so unfortunately, to make it 3-0. Felix took a free-kick from the edge of the box and it hit the post before hitting Farman’s back and trickling across the line.
Early in the second-half, Pedro Neto made it four. A fantastic pass across goal from Mykhailo Mudryk gave Neto the easiest of chances to score his first goal for the club.
Nkunku then netted his third goal of the game on 75 minutes. The Frenchman’s relentlessness off the ball saw him tackle goalkeeper Farman and stroke it into an empty net.
Chelsea ended up winning by five goals to nil. Below, Bobby Vincent rates the Chelsea players…
Filip Jorgensen – Could have genuinely had a cup of tea in each half. 6.
Malo Gusto – Great work down the right-hand side to cross the ball into Nkunku’s path for his second goal of the night. Looked a constant threat before being rested at the break. Might well be his best performance of the season thus far. 7.
Axel Disasi – Did alright. Physical battle with the Barrow attackers. 6.
Benoit Badiashile – See above. Looked better on the ball than in previous outings, too. 6.
Renato Veiga – Seemed to relish the physical challenge Barrow brought to Stamford Bridge. 6.
Cesare Casadei – His full debut for the club and he did well. Won plenty of headers, as you would expect given his height. Looked comfortable in possession, as you need to be in a Maresca side. 6.5.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – He looks like he is almost trying too hard to impress out there. The midfielder is so determined to impress at Stamford Bridge – and his time may come – but at the moment it seems to be having a negative impact. 5.5.
Pedro Neto – A quiet first-half but he shone in the second period. Neto will be relieved to have scored his first goal for Chelsea – and it could not have been an easier chance for the Portugal international. Much better before being taken off just after the hour-mark. 7.5.
Joao Felix – A simply magic assist. Scooped the ball over to find Nkunku, who made no mistake. He thought he scored on his second full Chelsea debut, but unfortunately it will go down as an own goal. But take nothing away from the superb free-kick from the Portuguese forward. 7.5.
Mykhailo Mudryk – Had so much space on the left-hand side. Showed glimpses in the first-half, taking on Barrow’s right-back when he could. Came to life in the second-half and immediately set up Neto with an unselfish pass across the face of the goal. 6.
Christopher Nkunku – Took his first goal really well in the opening 10 minutes. Clinical as always. His second goal – not too shabby either. A great flick to the far post, expertly taken. Superb display.
His tenacity off the ball allowed him to grab his hat-trick on 75 minutes. Never gave up and he eventually tackled Farman before rolling the ball into the open net. 9.
Substitutes
Ben Chilwell – Great to see him back out there. Replaced Gusto at half-time. Showed some positive moments on the left-hand side. 6.
Josh Acheampong – Great to see him on the pitch. His second-ever professional appearance. Solid display. 6.
Tyrique George – Also a second senior appearance for George. So unlucky not to have a goal to mark the occasion, too. Very bright. 7.
Marc Guiu – Good to see him on the pitch. Couldn’t make an impact. 6.
Carney Chukwuemeka – He exists. 6.
