Christopher Nkunku scored a hat-trick as Chelsea eased into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup by thumping Barrow 5-0.
Nkunku set the Blues on their way with an exquisite early double, while Paul Farman’s own goal following a Joao Felix free-kick made it three before the break at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Neto added a fourth shortly after the restart against the side currently sat at the top of League Two – but 63 places below Chelsea in the pyramid. Nkunku then completed his treble in the 75th minute following a mistake from Farman.
A comfortable night for the Blues at the Bridge
Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring his second goal against Barrow
It took just eight minutes for Chelsea to find the lead as Joao Felix and Nkunku combined, with the former dinking one over the Barrow defenders for the latter to run onto before volleying home low first time.
Nkunku notched his second after 15 minutes, with a lovely flicked heel finish from Malo Gusto’s ball in from the right. Just before the half hour it was three, as Felix’s free-kick came off the post before bouncing off the back of the unfortunate goalkeeper Farman and going in.
There was no let-up from Chelsea as they added a fourth quickly after the break. A mistake at the back for Barrow seeing a quick counter finish with Mykhailo Mudryk squaring for Neto to tap in his first goal for the club.
Nkunku then made it five, rounding off his hat-trick, after a slip from Farman as he tried to take the ball away from the striker gave him the opportunity to slide the ball into an empty net.
Nkunku hits impressive hat-trick
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Nkunku opens the scoring for Chelsea against Barrow in their Carabao Cup tie
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Nkunku doubles Chelsea’s lead with a cheeky flick
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Nkunku completes his hat-trick, bouncing Barrow’s goalkeeper Paul Farman off the ball before rolling into an empty net
Chelsea’s second-string superstars shine
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Joao Felix’s free-kick came off the back of Farman to add a third for Chelsea
Sky Sports’ 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.
“Rarely has the disparity in the pyramid been reflected quite like this, when a second-string side contains this many multi-million pound players and stars.
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Pedro Neto tapped home from close range for his first Chelsea goal
“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 back in the side when Chelsea are back in Premier League action on Saturday. Some will not even be in the matchday squad.
“Enzo Maresca has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal to say the least.”
What’s next for Chelsea?
Chelsea are back in action in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge for a 3pm Saturday kick-off against Brighton.
Barrow have a League Two trip to Gillingham at the same time.
