Carabao Cup

CHELSEA kickstarted their 2024/25 Carabao Cup campaign with a 5-0 win against League Two minnows Barrow.Blues’ striker Christopher Nkunku hit a hat-trick and an own goal and Pedro Neto’s first goal for the club rounded things off at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off time: 7:45pm BSTLive stream: NOW TVTV channel: Sky Sports+Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; GuiuBarrow XI: Farman, Campbell, Spence, Garner, Newby, Stokes, Foley, Acquah, Feely, Jackson, VassellBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below…Perfect triple ChrisChristopher Nkunku finished flawlessly for his hat-trick against barrow.And this stat proves it!The Frenchman, 26, netted from all his three goal attempts in the Carabao Cup tonight.And if he stays fit he’ll surely become a Prem regular at some stage this season. Copy linkCopiedChelsea’s striker ratingChristopher Nkunku – 9Showed his clinical edge in front of goal by grabbing a hat-trick with three well-taken strikes inside the penalty area, including an exquisite back-heeled flick into the corner.Copy linkCopiedBlues’ midfield ratingsCesare Casadei – 7Shaky at first on his maiden Chelsea touch before growing into the game in the centre of the park.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7Afforded plenty of time and space on the ball for much of the game and even came close to a goal of his own.Pedro Neto – 7Link-up play with Malo Gusto was a constant threat down the right. Finished off a flowing team move for his first Chelsea goal.Joao Felix – 8Unlocked the Barrow defence with a beautiful scooped pass to set up Nkunku’s opener. Followed it up with a perfectly placed free-kick off the post to put his side 3-0 up before half-time.Mykhailo Mudryk – 7Gave Chelsea an outlet with his pace down the left, showed to perfection as he raced away before squaring for Neto to score moments into the second half.Copy linkCopiedHow Chelsea rated – the defenceFilip Jorgensen – 6Looked shaky as Barrow launched a string of early throw-ins into the box. Forced into a smart stop down to his right at the start of the second half but otherwise untroubled.Malo Gusto – 7Lack of threat from visitors allowed him freedom of the right flank and the full-back regularly posed a threat as he linked up with Neto.Axel Disasi – 6Unconvincing in possession despite little pressure but performed defensive duties throughout in solid partnership with Benoit Badiashile.Benoit Badiashile – 6Barely troubled by Barrow forward Emile Acquah. Assured in possession and showed his passing range by switching play to his wingers when available.Renato Veiga – 6Looked a class above when stepping into midfield when Chelsea were in possession but far from convincing in defence. Gave away several needless free-kicks in dangerous areas.Copy linkCopiedFelix and Nkunku pressing for Prem startJoao Felix and Christopher Nkunku could not have done much more to earn a Prem start at home to Brighton on Saturday.Felix was irresistible, floating around, while Nkunku’s hat-trick included one stunner.Blues’ striker Nicolas Jackson would appear to be the player most at threat.Christopher Nkunku notched a treble, with Joao Felix getting the first assistCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBarrow players take plaudits from fansThe difference between the two teams at the final whistle showed one major difference between the clubs.Barrow stayed out for a glorious reception from their fans.In contrast, Chelsea’s players soon walked off – job done.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowBarrow fans never stopped encouraging their side – but Christopher Nkunku’s early double killed this contest off.Keeper Paul Farman’s own goal made it 3-0 at the break.Pedro Neto and Nkunku’s simple hat-trick finish following Farman’s blunder rounded off the Blues’ victory. Copy linkCopiedRESULT: Chelsea 5-0 BarrowCopy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowChukwuemeka wasted a gaping opportunity to make it six – high and spectacularly wide.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowMudryk is looking to create more trouble down the left.And one surge gave Acheampong an opportunity to show his deft footwork. Fellow teenager George then almost put Chukwuemeka in on goal.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowBarrow’s lively sub Kouyate fizzed an ambitious 30-yarder high.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowChukwuemeka had his second half-chance for the Blues.But Barrow are roared on by their 3,000 fans when they win another corner.But Jackson’s effort was punched away before the League Two side concede a free-kick for pushing in the box.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowAfter escaping strong penalty appeals, Barrow break to win a corner – with their fans still pumped up.Guiu was then almost instantly in for Chelsea at the other end. Copy linkCopiedChelsea 5-0 BarrowThe two main Blues, Nkunku and Felix were taken off.On came Carney Chukwuemeka and Marc Guiu.And the pressure didn’t come off Barrow.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Chelsea 5-0 BarrowA Christopher Nkunku hat-trick!But Barrow keeper Farman was totally at fault.Misjudging how much time he had with the ball at his feet, he was dispossessed by Nkunku on his second touch.And the rest was inevitable.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowBarrow engineered another corner, having maintained their impressive workrate in adversity.But Chelsea easily cleared – and Mudryk burst clear to almost slip Felix in.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowTeen star George won’t get many better chances to fire his first Chelsea goal.Just 12 yards and in plenty of space, he screwed a low shot wide.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowBest Barrow opportunity?The visitors have won a free-kick just outside the left corner of the Chelsea box.Spence’s firm right-footer was punched away by Jorgensen – safety first when he might have been able to catch it.So it was a Barrow corner – with Jorgensen finally grabbing it after a moment of pinball.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowThe Blues brought on 18-year-olds Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George midway through this stroll of a second half.It comes as Mudryk turns in an improved display out wide – inspired perhaps by Felix.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowFelix has been outstanding so far – surely the best player on the pitch.And the winger will be sniffing a goal himself as the Blues dictate possession.Chilwell hit the ball off a defender to win a corner but it was cleared – only for Chelsea to soon win another one.But Felix’s delivery enabled Barrow to clear once more.Benoit Badiashile made a mess of one scoring chanceCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowFarman has now produced two top-quality saves – from Dewsbury-Hall and Casadei.And he’s likely to face more action as Chelsea are now well on top. Neto fizzed a cross over everyone, as pressure mounts.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowMudryk burst menacingly down the left, with Vassell forced to concede a corner.Casadei met it with a corner well saved by Farman – at the expense of another corner.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowBadiashile barged into Garner – giving Barrow another free-kick in a half-decent position.Spence’s near-post deadball was smartly kept out by Jorgensen.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 4-0 BarrowEx-Chelsea academy kid Neo Eccleston came on at the interval – and has already been in the thick of it in the Barrow defence.Badiashile has just mis-hit a gaping chance wide when the Blues were sniffing a fifth goal.Copy linkCopiedGOAL! Chelsea 4-0 BarrowNeto bags his first goal for Chelsea – thanks to an unselfish pass from Mudryk on 48 minutes.Copy linkCopied More