Enzo Maresca made 11 changes to his Chelsea line-up for the visit of Barrow in the Carabao Cup third round, but a fine start to the Italian’s Stamford Bridge tenure was never at risk of being derailed as Christopher Nkunku’s hat-trick secured a 5-0 romp over the League Two side.
The Blues were three goals up and out of sight inside half an hour with Joao Felix the ring leader in an overwhelming first-half attacking display, the forward who played 44 times last season for Barcelona making featherlight work of a team who were in the National League as recently as four years ago.
The Portugal international had a crucial hand in his side’s third goal, his free-kick striking the post and going in off Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman, that after Nkunku had scored twice in the first 18 minutes.
Nkunku went on to complete his first Chelsea hat-trick in the second half with his side’s fifth goal. Before that, Pedro Neto had registered another first, opening his Blues account with a tap-in from Mykhailo Mudryk’s square pass.
The game was also notable for the return of Ben Chilwell, on as a half-time substitute to a raucous welcome from home fans five weeks after being told by Maresca he had no future at the club.
The goals began flowing after eight minutes. Renato Veiga played a pass centrally to Felix who took a touch to evade the outstretched leg of Dean Campbell and hoisted a devilish lob forward for the run of Nkunku, the forward capitalising on his first start in four games with a shot that squeezed through the hands of Farman.
His second to make it 2-0 after 15 minutes was sublime. Neto’s back heel for Malo Gusto was cheeky, the right-back’s cross pinpoint and in at the near post stole Nkunku with an impudent flick across goal into the corner.
Chelsea by now were rampant and Felix was next to seek to get in on the act. It looked at first as though his sweetly struck free-kick had curled over the Barrow wall and bounced in off the post. Closer inspection revealed the ball had ricocheted back against the unfortunate Farman for an own goal.
Maresca’s side scored their fourth two minutes after the restart. Barrow were careless with possession in midfield allowing Nkunku to nip onto a loose ball and drive forward. He fed Mudryk advancing outside him and from there it was a simple task to find Neto for a tap-in at the far post.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was denied his first Chelsea goal by a smart save from Farman, flinging himself low to his right to turn away the midfielder’s rasping drive.
At the other end Blues goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen got down well to prevent Kian Spence’s whipped free-kick from squeaking inside the post.
Barrow’s hopes of a giant-killing were long extinguished, but there was almost a fairytale of a different kind when 18-year-old substitute Tyrique George had a golden chance to open his Chelsea account, skewing his shot awkwardly wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Nkunku finally completed his treble moments later, Farman dribbling himself into a mess and gifting the ball to the France international who rolled in Chelsea’s fifth.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. La Liga, beware. Prime Antony is coming Fulham 0-1 Man UtdT Collyer MVP!!Story of Man UTD When you accidentally bring the goalkeeper out on FIFA Guess who likes you Spurs are in a relegation battle Arsenal and Michael Oliver Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC, originaltrollfootball)...
Angel Gomes has been linked with a move to TottenhamTottenham Hotspur have less than a week to potentially save their season as the January transfer window enters its final days.Ange Postecoglou brought in goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague earlier this month due to Guglielmo Vicario's injury being one of many that the Aussie manager is having to contend with.But with just days left of t...
Marcus Rashford is out in the cold at Manchester United and looking for an exit this January transfer windowRio Ferdinand has suggested Marcus Rashford is eager to part ways with Manchester United because of "over-scrutinisation for years".Rashford's future at Old Trafford remains up in the air following his explosive interview last year, in which he expressed a wish to seek a new challenge. The 2...
Dorgu is Man United's top target to fix their needs at left wingback and are stepping up their pursuit accordingly. Manchester United will increase their offer for Patrick Dorgu to EURO37-38m in an effort to get the deal over the line for the defender this week, according to Nicolo Schira. Lecce are asking for a fee of EURO40m for the 20-year-old left wingback, and have so far rebuffed United's bi...
The Ukraine international is expected to leave Arsenal before the market shuts next week.Sky Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg is reporting: "Understand that Atlético Madrid have now entered the race for Oleksandr Zinchenko."Serious talks are underway, with Atlético open to either a permanent deal or a loan with an obligation to buy."Current price valuation: €20m + add-ons. The 28-...
The former Red Devils boss joined Besiktas last week after four years out of the dugout.Casemiro is on the radar of Besiktas after falling down the United pecking orderSolskjaer is looking to bolster his squad, with reports in Turkey claiming he wants to bring in Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.The Brazilian midfielder has started just three Premier League games since Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Traf...
Brazil superstar Neymar is closing in on a return to his former club Santos, sources told ESPN on Sunday.Neymar remains on the roster of Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, but the team's manager Jorge Jesus said earlier in January that the Brazilian attacker can "no longer play at the level we are used to," and wasn't registered to play in the Saudi Pro League, leaving Neymar eligible to play only in th...
Ansu Fati wants to stay at Barcelona as per Flick🚨 Hansi Flick: “I think Ansu Fati wants to stay and that’s ok… he’s improving in training, we will support him”. pic.twitter.com/lCPMHFhRm1— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2025Neymar agrees to massive pay cut to seal Santos returnBrazil legend Neymar Jr. has reportedly agreed to take a massive paycu...
Liverpool are yet to make any January signings but there is still plenty of time for the Reds to click into gear before the window closes.Arne Slot has done a brilliant job to put the Merseyside giants on course to win the Premier League title in his first season. There is still room for improvement in his Liverpool squad, though, with a number of exciting players having been linked.Another priori...
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to land Ansu Fati from Barcelona before the close of the January transfer window.Mourinho eager to sign FatiForward struggling for minutes at BarcaFenerbahce fighting for titleWHAT HAPPENED?Mourinho is hoping to add more titles to his collection in Turkey and currently has his Fenerbahce team in the second place in the table, just six points behind leaders G...
- 1 Ex-Bundesliga star's WAG has intimate tattoo of footballer husband
- 2 Transfer news and rumours LIVE
- 3 Mourinho makes drastic career change and launches 'The Special One' wine
- 4 Napoli confirm Garnacho interest
- 5 'exciting' Betis on signing Man Utd flop
- 6 Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy
- 7 Lecce reveal Dorgu meeting with Man Utd
- 8 Teen arrested after shock abuse against Kai Havertz's wife Sophia
- 9 Man Utd attempted to sign Brighton's Enciso
- 10 Chelsea offer two players to Everton