Christopher Nkunku bagged a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge and there was also a first goal for Pedro Neto, whilst Joao Felix was unfortunate to see his classy free-kick rebound off the goalkeeper for an own-goal against lower tier side Barrow.
It was also a special night for some of our young players, as Cesare Casadei made his first start and academy graduates Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George – good friends off the pitch – entered the field together during the second half.
Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka also secured their first minutes of the season and there was a return for Malo Gusto following his injury.
Barrow started the game well but it didn’t take long for Chelsea’s quality to tell. On eight minutes Veiga fizzed a pass into the feet of Joao Felix 35 yards from goal and the Portuguese turned and expertly flicked the ball over the defenders’ heads into the path of Nkunku.
The Frenchman met the dropping ball with a right-footed volley and the Blues were ahead.
Photo Courtesy: Chelsea FC
Chelsea were clearly on top and it was 2-0 before the quarter of an hour was up after another moment of exceptional quality.
Neto backheeled the ball into the path of Gusto on the right wing and his low cross towards the six-yard box was met by an audacious backheel flick from Nkunku which nestled into the far, bottom corner.
Chilwell was quickly involved as he helped start a move just inside Barrow’s half and after a cross wasn’t cleared, he headed the ball back into the danger area but Dewsbury-Hall was unable to direct his header on target.
The fifth goal did arrive with a little over a quarter of an hour remaining when Nkunku closed down the goalkeeper and when Farman attempted to get past the forward, he made the tackle and slotted into the empty net.
