In a dazzling display at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC vs Barrow EFL Cup turned into a masterclass as Christopher Nkunku netted his first hat trick for the Blues. Chelsea cruised into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a resounding 5-0 victory over League Two side Barrow. The match showcased Chelsea’s depth, with manager Enzo Maresca making 11 changes from the weekend’s lineup, all while putting on a show for the home fans.
Chelsea FC vs Barrow EFL Head to Head Record
This was the first ever meeting between Chelsea FC and Barrow in a competitive match. Despite the teams coming from different tiers of English football, the anticipation was palpable as they faced off in the EFL Cup.
Chelsea FC vs Barrow Lineups
Chelsea FC (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Filip Jørgensen
- Defenders: Malo Gusto, Benoît Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Josh Acheampong
- Midfielders: Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Forwards: Mykhailo Mudryk, João Félix, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku
Barrow (5-3-2)
- Goalkeeper: Paul Farman
- Defenders: Chris Stokes, Theo Vassell, Ben Jackson, Rory Feely, Dean Campbell
- Midfielders: Kian Spence, Sam Foley, Elliot Newby
- Forwards: Emile Acquah, Gerard Garner
Chelsea FC vs Barrow First Half
The match kicked off with Chelsea immediately asserting their dominance. Just eight minutes in, Nkunku opened the scoring, converting a through ball from João Félix with a composed finish to put Chelsea ahead 1-0.
15’ Goal! Chelsea 1, Barrow 0.
Christopher Nkunku’s right footed shot from the center of the box found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Just seven minutes later, Nkunku struck again, this time capitalizing on a cross from Malo Gusto to make it 2-0.
22’ Goal! Chelsea 2, Barrow 0.
Another fantastic finish from Nkunku, showcasing his sharp instincts in the box.
The Blues continued to press, and Barrow’s misery deepened in the 28th minute when goalkeeper Paul Farman scored an unfortunate own goal, pushing Chelsea’s lead to 3-0.
28’ Own Goal! Chelsea 3, Barrow 0.
Farman misjudged a cross, resulting in a calamitous error that sealed Barrow’s fate in the first half.
As the half drew to a close, Chelsea was firmly in control, but there was still time for João Félix to hit the post with a stunning free kick, leaving the score at 3-0 at the half.
Half Time: Chelsea 3, Barrow 0.
Chelsea FC vs Barrow Second Half
The second half began with Chelsea looking to add to their tally. Just two minutes in, Pedro Neto made it 4-0 with a simple tap in following a cutback from Mykhailo Mudryk.
48’ Goal! Chelsea 4, Barrow 0.
Neto’s first goal for Chelsea put the game firmly out of reach for Barrow.
Chelsea continued to dominate possession and create chances, with Nkunku showcasing his talents throughout the match. In the 75th minute, he completed his hat trick with another fine finish from the left side of the box.
75’ Goal! Chelsea 5, Barrow 0.
Nkunku’s right footed shot sealed the scoreline and earned him a standing ovation from the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Barrow struggled to mount any meaningful attacks, managing only one shot on target throughout the match. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Chelsea.
Full Time: Chelsea 5, Barrow 0.
Chelsea FC vs Barrow Stats
- Possession: Chelsea 71.4% | Barrow 28.6%
- Shots on Goal: Chelsea 10 | Barrow 1
- Total Shots: Chelsea 20 | Barrow 5
- Fouls: Chelsea 14 | Barrow 9
- Yellow Cards: Chelsea 1 | Barrow 1
- Red Cards: 0
- Corner Kicks: Chelsea 8 | Barrow 4
- Saves: Chelsea 1 | Barrow 6
Chelsea FC vs Barrow timeline
The match commenced with a palpable sense of expectation. Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, showcased their attacking prowess from the get go. Nkunku’s early goal set the tone, and his second swiftly followed, establishing a cushion that Barrow couldn’t overcome.
Despite several attempts to penetrate Chelsea’s defense, Barrow struggled to make an impact. Chelsea’s midfield, spearheaded by Dewsbury Hall and Veiga, consistently fed their forwards, leading to an avalanche of opportunities.
As the game progressed, Nkunku’s performance was a revelation, culminating in a well deserved hat trick that not only demonstrated his skills but also hinted at a bright future for Chelsea FC in the EFL Cup.
The comprehensive win not only advances Chelsea in the tournament but also boosts their confidence as they look forward to the next round, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with this season.
The fourth round draw awaits as the football world turns its eyes to the continuing journey of Chelsea FC vs Barrow EFL Cup in this thrilling competition.
