Nkunku Hat-Trick Powers Chelsea Past Barrow into Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Christopher Nkunku stole the spotlight at Stamford Bridge with a sublime hat-trick, propelling Chelsea to a dominant 5-0 victory over League Two side Barrow in the Carabao Cup third round. The French forward was unstoppable, leading the Blues to a comprehensive win and securing their place in the competition’s next stage.

Nkunku wasted no time, opening the scoring in just the eighth minute with a composed finish after latching onto a perfectly chipped pass from Joao Felix. The 26-year-old doubled his tally soon after with a delightful flick, converting Malo Gusto’s low cross into the net. A Felix free-kick shortly before halftime, which ricocheted off the post and into the net via Barrow keeper Paul Farman, gave Chelsea a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

Pedro Neto extended the home side’s advantage just two minutes into the second half, tapping in from close range after a cut-back from Mykhailo Mudryk. Nkunku then completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute, pouncing on a mistake by Farman and calmly finishing into an empty net.

With his first treble for Chelsea, Nkunku now boasts an impressive six goals in eight appearances this season. It was his first start for the club since their Premier League opener against Manchester City, and he delivered a masterclass that underlined his importance to the squad.

Despite making 11 changes to the side that beat West Ham in the Premier League, Chelsea were far too strong for Barrow, who came into the tie buoyed by a shock victory over Championship side Derby County in the previous round. The 64-place gap between the two clubs was evident, yet Barrow can hold their heads high after equaling their best-ever run in the EFL Cup, a feat they last achieved in 1967.

Barrow’s travelling support, who made the 300-mile journey from Cumbria, remained vocal throughout, even as their side struggled to create clear-cut chances. Emile Acquah came closest for the visitors, volleying over from a half-chance at 1-0, while Kian Spence saw two free-kicks easily saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

For Chelsea, this was their first Carabao Cup outing since their narrow defeat to Liverpool in the 2024 final. The match also saw the return of Ben Chilwell, who made his first appearance since April. The out-of-favour defender came on as a half-time substitute and was immediately handed the captain’s armband. Manager Enzo Maresca had previously suggested that Chilwell might struggle for game time, but after the match, he praised the England international’s attitude.

"Ben has shown he is ready and working well," Maresca said. "There is not any problem. If we have a chance, we will give him more minutes in games."

Looking ahead, Chelsea now turn their focus back to the Premier League, where they face Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Meanwhile, Barrow will resume their League Two campaign with a trip to Gillingham on the same day.

Nkunku’s form, Chelsea’s strength in depth, and a promising mix of experience and youth suggest the Blues are primed for a deep run in this season’s Carabao Cup. For Barrow, their fairy-tale journey in the competition may have come to an end, but they can be proud of their spirited performances against higher-tier opponents.