The Nkunku show: Chelsea star shines as Blues batter League Two side Barrow in EFL Cup

Christopher Nkunku celebrates his hat-trick against Barrow on September 24, 2024 | Imago

The Nkunku show: Chelsea star shines as Blues batter League Two side Barrow in EFL Cup

21:36 - 24.09.2024

The Blues were rampant against League Two side Barrow as they qualified for the EFL Cup fourth round

Chelsea's French star Christopher Nkunku put in a superb performance for the Blues in a dominant 5-0 win over Barrow in the EFL Cup third round.

Nkunku scored a marvellous hat-trick to guide the Blues to the next round of the competition beating Barrow resoundingly at Stamford Bridge with a largely second-string squad.

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In addition to Nkunku's hat-trick, Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman put through his own goal, while Chelsea new boy Pedro Neto scored his first goal for the Blues to round off the comfortable 5-0 win.

How it happened

Enzo Maresca made 11 changes to his lineup, with Filip Jorgensen in goal and a reshuffled defence. Chelsea quickly took control of the match, with Christopher Nkunku opening the scoring after only eight minutes with a set up by an exquisite flick from Joao Felix.

Nkunku added a second with a stylish backheel finish, and Joao Felix’s free-kick deflected off the post and the keeper to make it 3-0 before halftime.

In the second half, Ben Chilwell made his season debut as Chelsea continued their dominance over Barrow. Mudryk set up Pedro Neto for an easy fourth goal, before Nkunku sealed his hat-trick in the 75th minute by pressuring Barrow's goalkeeper into a mistake.

With this win, Chelsea moves on to the fourth round of the League Cup, looking to extend their winning run past three games as they prepare to face Brighton in the Premier League. The draw for the next round is set to take place after Liverpool’s clash with West Ham.