Christopher Nkunku starred at Stamford Bridge with a hat-trick.
Enzo Maresca laid down a steely test for his fringe players ahead of their Carabao Cup encounter with Barrow: "Prove we are men." The Italian made 11 changes to his starting line-up following their previous league victory over West Ham, but his side asserted their authority in a 5-0 win, which earned them a fourth-round tie. The result came as Chelsea's third straight win and continued their excellent form since the beginning of Maresca's tenure.
Chelsea's match turned out to be a perfect showcase for the depth of the squad. It was played on a day when most of the lesser-featured stars were in the starry roles except Chris Nkunku, who made just his second start, returning with a dream hat-trick. Pedro Neto scored his first goal for the club. The Chelsea team had Barrow's goalkeeper Paul Farman scoring the fifth goal, seeing how Joao Felix's free-kick hit the post and rebounded from him into the net.
Maresca, who rested his regulars in the first team, said that heavy rotation did not change Chelsea's approach or mentality. "We made many changes, but the idea from the team was the same," he said. This has to be one of our targets—no matter who is going to play, the identity of the team is always there." His message was clear: professionalism and concentration were key even in a cup tie against League Two opposition. "We showed how serious we are," Maresca added, pointing to the dangers of underestimating so-called weaker teams.
The game was over in effect within the first 30 minutes. Chelsea had a three-goal cushion, with Nkunku hitting two inside the first 18 minutes. Joao Felix plotted much of Chelsea's control of the first half, delivering a relentless attacking performance. His contribution in the third goal, where his free-kick struck the post before bouncing in off Farman, further underlined the importance he brings to this team despite limited Premier League minutes.
Nkunku completed his hat-trick early in the second half when finishing a flowing move started by Mykhailo Mudryk's low cross. Moments earlier, Neto tapped in from close range to score his first Chelsea goal. Maresca said his squad was ready all around, regardless of minutes played this season. "I'm happy for Pedro, Christo, and Joao—for all of them.". They all deserve to play from the start of the season in the Premier League, but the way they take their chances when given them is fantastic.
While the day has been Chelsea's for celebration, the match also saw the first of Ben Chilwell's steps toward a return to action, and he was warmly welcomed back into action by the home faithful. Chilwell, who was brought on at halftime only five weeks since Maresca had deemed him not included in plans, brought a triumphant personal note to what was overall a strong team effort.
His counterpart, Chelsea's under-21 team manager, Stephen Clemence, the former Premier League player, said that his League Two leaders faced a tricky question when being asked to go to a Premier League team, a top-six or seven teams. Despite the humbling defeat, he was proud of his players, as he aired after the match: "They haven't come here and disgraced themselves; they've done well." For Clemence's side, it is a night to take valuable lessons from in their return to their domestic campaign.
