Chelsea stormed into the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over League Two side Barrow at Stamford Bridge, underlining their intent under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The young and talented squad made a clear statement of ambition, with a hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku, an own goal from Barrow’s goalkeeper Paul Farman, and a goal by Pedro Neto highlighting the Blues’ dominance.
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From the first whistle, Chelsea showed their class. Despite rotating his squad and making 11 changes to the starting lineup, Maresca’s team exhibited a level of maturity and skill that belied their youth.
The game proved to be a comprehensive display of Chelsea’s growing strength in depth as they controlled possession and created scoring chances almost at will.
With 20 shots, half of which were on target, Chelsea outplayed their League Two opponents, who only managed one shot on target throughout the match.
Christopher Nkunku, one of Chelsea’s most exciting players this season, stole the spotlight with a brilliant hat-trick.
His performance demonstrated why he is considered one of the top forwards in European football.
Nkunku opened the scoring in the eighth minute, quickly setting the tone for the match with a sharp finish.
His second goal followed just before halftime, a deft flick past Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman, who endured a difficult night.
Nkunku completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute with another composed finish, showcasing his versatility and killer instinct in front of goal.
This hat-trick performance will certainly boost his confidence as Chelsea navigate a packed schedule of domestic and European fixtures.
Maresca will undoubtedly be delighted with Nkunku’s form, especially as the team gears up for more challenging opponents in the Premier League and beyond.
Enzo Maresca made wholesale changes to his lineup for this EFL Cup clash, but the Italian manager’s tactical acumen was clear throughout the game.
Despite the heavy rotation, Chelsea never looked out of sync. The squad appeared well-drilled and in control, with every player understanding their role and executing Maresca’s game plan effectively.
The decision to make 11 changes was also a testament to Maresca’s belief in his squad’s depth. He has built a young team that is not only talented but also hungry to compete on multiple fronts.
This game provided valuable minutes to several fringe players, who seized the opportunity to impress. The win also marked only Maresca’s second victory at Stamford Bridge since taking charge, and he was quick to highlight the significance of the result.
“Before the game, I asked the players to send a message—not just to me, but to everyone—that even though we are young, we are serious about competing,” Maresca said. “Tonight, they delivered that message, and I’m proud of how they responded.”
While Barrow came into the game as League Two leaders, they were no match for Chelsea’s relentless pressure and fluid attacking play.
Barrow’s goalkeeper, Paul Farman, had a night to forget, especially after inadvertently turning the ball into his own net just before the half-hour mark. Farman’s own goal was emblematic of Barrow’s struggles to cope with Chelsea’s pace and precision.
The League Two side managed just five shots throughout the 90 minutes, with only one troubling Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrović.
Barrow, who were making their first EFL Cup third-round appearance since the 1967-68 season, found themselves overwhelmed by Chelsea’s superior technical ability, speed, and tactical discipline.
Chelsea’s fourth goal came shortly after the break, with Pedro Neto finding the back of the net just three minutes into the second half.
Neto, who has been in fine form, benefited from a well-timed cross by Mykhailo Mudryk, demonstrating Chelsea’s ability to convert their dominance into goals.
One of the more notable moments of the game, however, came at halftime when Maresca made an important substitution.
Ben Chilwell, who has battled injuries and was training away from the main squad earlier in the season, made his first appearance since April, replacing Malo Gusto.
Chilwell has struggled with injury setbacks in recent years, but his return to competitive action will be a significant boost for Chelsea.
Maresca was pleased with what he saw from the England international, praising his performance in the post-match press conference.
“Chilly was very good,” Maresca said. “It wasn’t easy for him; he didn’t get any minutes this season, but now he’s shown that he’s ready and working well. We’ll try to give him more time on the pitch as we go forward.”
