KAI HAVERTZ took home a sanitised match ball as the prize for the first hat-trick of his career.
Chelsea’s most hyped-up signing of 2020 is also celebrating the first goals for his new club as a massive confidence booster.
Kai Havertz scored a hat-trick as Chelsea brushed past BarnsleyCredit: AFP or licensors
Havertz takes home the match ball after a terrific performanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having looked off the pace on his debut at Brighton, then subbed at half time in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool, three goals will go a long way to help the young German settle in.
Boss Frank Lampard brought Havertz inside from his traditional winger role to support recalled striker Tammy Abraham.
But it was the other way around as striker Abraham provided the crucial moves for all three of the goals.
The first came in the 29th minute – nine minutes after Abraham himself put the Premier League side ahead with a crafty goal.
The Chelsea academy graduate showed impressive cheek to nick the ball off Barnsley defender Aapo Halme on the edge of the box before turning to plant the ball home.
But his part in making Havertz look good was even better.
Allowing a pass inside from Mason Mount slide through his legs, Havertz could dart through and poke the ball to the right of Barnsley keeper Brad Collins – a former Stamford Bridge youth team player.
Havertz got his second ten minutes into the second half. This time Abraham’s nifty back heel inside the Barnsley box allowed his new team-mate to grab number two.
Kai Havertz bags his hat-trick to prove his potentialCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ross Barkley was handed his opportunity to impressCredit: Getty – Pool
Mason Mount is a key cog in Frank Lampard’s sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And with 25 minutes left Abraham’s first time through ball enabled Havertz to run clear and round the keeper to claim a maiden treble in a game.
He was substituted soon after as reshuffled Chelsea ran riot in a match that will give Lampard much to think about.
Abraham is going to be under severe pressure from now on following the arrival of £48m Timo Werner. Cup games like this may be his only chance to shine for a while.
With eight changes to the team which lost to Liverpool on Sunday, there was plenty for Lampard to ponder.
There was also a debut for illustrious Brazilian Thiago Silva, who got an hour among eight changes to the Chelsea side which lost to Liverpool on Sunday.
Silva, 36 two days ago, played his most recent game in the Champions League final last month against Bayern Munich.
He claimed there would be no comedown facing more lowly opponents and this game would have been much more enjoyable – because he won.
Silva claims he can make a team which struggled to defend last season, dovetail and stop the goals flooding in at the back.
He was put under pressure for the first 45 minutes of his hour long bow as Championship Barnsley kept up the pressure with decent quality football despite conceding regularly.
Olivier Giroud heads in Chelsea’s sixth of the nightCredit: PA:Press Association
Abraham proved he can rival Timo Werner for the striker roleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Silva’s partnership with Fikayo Tomori looked shaky in the early stages but grew in confidence alongside the one-sided scoreline.
New left back Ben Chilwell also got a run out from the subs’ bench as Lamprd used this tie to start weaving some of his £220m worth of signings this year into the fabric of his team.
Midfielder Ross Barkley also scored and veteran Frenchman Olivier Giroud got the sixth as rejigged Chelsea cruised into the fourth round.
Barnsley did provide some scary moments. Centre half Halme should have scored with a header in the first half and Cauley Woodrow had a shot blocked by keeper Willy Caballero.
Midfielder Marcel Ratzmaier was a threat until the second half when the team which has not won a league match so far this season crumbled under the onslaught.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy having medical at Chelsea with Kepa replacement on verge of transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
