Batshuayi 8/10 in rout of Notts Forest
Chelsea cruised into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 5-1 win over Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
Both teams made a raft of changes from their weekend league games and it was Chelsea's squad that unsurprisingly proved far stronger than that of the Championship club. Despite a positive start from Forest, they were undone after just 13 minutes when an excellent cross from Antonio Rudiger was volleyed home by his fellow wing-back, Kenedy. Michy Batshuayi doubled the advantage six minutes later when he capitalised on neat work from Eden Hazard. Charly Musonda then scored his first senior goal for the Blues when he rifled home after latching onto a wonderful reverse pass from Cesc Fabregas to make it 3-0 at the break.
Despite having the game won Chelsea made a fast start to the second half, with Hazard hitting the post before unselfishly laying on the fourth goal for Batshuayi a few minutes later. Batshuayi completed his hat-trick five minutes from time after tapping home from close range. Tendayi Darikwa gave Forest's travelling hordes something to shout about after pulling one back with the last kick of the game.
Positives
It was a professional, clinical approach from Chelsea, who showed no mercy to their opponents. The debut of 17-year-old Ethan Ampady was encouraging given that he didn't look out of place, as was Hazard's display as he gets back to full fitness.
Negatives
It was a shame not to keep a clean sheet though that was about as negative as it got as Chelsea breezed through to the fourth round.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Despite making nine changes to the side, this was still a strong team that demonstrated how Antonio Conte is taking this competition seriously. The sight of so many youngsters and academy products on the pitch at the end was very welcome.
Player ratings (1-10, 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Willy Caballero, 6 -- A virtual bystander on his full Chelsea debut, he had little chance to make an impact. Only contribution of note was a loose kick at 0-0 that almost let Forest in.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 7 -- Continues to impress with an excellent double block early in the second half stopping a certain goal. Showed some artistry in his game by playing a delightful cross for the opening goal.
DF Andreas Christensen, 7 -- A comfortable night for the young Dane, who demonstrated exquisite timing and reading of the game with an excellent interception in the first half.
DF Gary Cahill, 7 -- Was untroubled all evening though he had to help Caballero out of a tight situation when the goalkeeper's errant kick had to be prevented from ending up at the feet of a Forest striker.
Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
MF Davide Zappacosta, 7 -- Got up and down the right flank all night though saw relatively little of the ball.
MF Tiemoue Bakayoko, 7 -- Put in the kind of powerful, imposing performance that Chelsea supporters are starting to get used to. Bullied his opponents and showed excellent touch to intelligently link the play.
MF Cesc Fabregas, 8 -- Apart from one blind pass that was nearly calamitous, this was a masterclass from the midfield maestro. An excellent reverse pass set up Musonda while his long ball for Hazard resulted in the fourth goal.
MF Kenedy, 7 -- His first half saw him score a well-taken goal, whip in an excellent cross that only just evaded everyone and a rasping drive that fizzed narrowly over. Struck the bar with a fierce shot late on only to see Batshuayi knock home the rebound.
FW Charly Musonda, 8 -- Took his first senior Chelsea goal with confidence and justifiably celebrated with abandon. His quick feet also started the move for the first goal and he almost grabbed a second for himself when a chipped shot went just wide.
FW Eden Hazard, 8 -- Toyed with his opponents all game to hint that he might just be ready to be unleashed from the start in the big games to come next week. Created two goals and struck the post. All that was missing was a goal of his own.
FW Michy Batshuayi, 8 -- A good night for the Belgium forward, who took advantage of his team's superiority by scoring a hat-trick. None of the finishes were difficult but they were all clinically dispatched.
Substitutes
MF Ethan Ampadu, 7 -- First contribution was to launch into a 50-50 challenge with Danny Fox and win it. Hopefully the first of many in a Blue shirt.
DF Jake Clarke-Salter, NR -- Was unable to do much about the last minute equaliser as Forest poured forward.
MF Dujon Sterling NR -- had few touches in his brief time on the pitch.
Source: espn.co.uk
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