The mission was simple for Chelsea: secure victory against fourth-tier opposition, pump up the confidence of the reserves and maintain this period of rare happiness at Stamford Bridge. It was done quickly, with Christopher Nkunku scoring twice inside the first 15 minutes to set up an easy evening against Barrow.
Nkunku was the main actor, his hat-trick – and Chelsea’s fifth goal – delivered an hour later. But the host forward line all had moments of sparkle. João Félix showed imagination behind Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk was electric down the left and Pedro Neto, on the right, scored his first for the club.
