Christopher Nkunku on Tuesday scored a hat-trick as Chelsea thrashed fourth-tier Barrow 5-0 to reach the last 16 of the League Cup as a much-changed Manchester City edged out Watford 2-1.
Nkunku now has six goals in seven appearances this season, but the Frenchman has still been unable to nail down a regular place in Enzo Maresca’s side.
Maresca made 11 changes from the team that beat West Ham United 3-0 on Saturday, but could still start about ￡400 million (US$535.3 million) worth of talent.
Photo: Reuters
Joao Felix was another of the Blues’ big money signings to shine. His scooped pass set up Nkunku for opener.
Nkunku then flicked home a second before Felix’s free-kick hit the post and rebounded in off Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman.
Pedro Neto tapped in Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross for his first Chelsea goal. Nkunku sealed his first hat-trick for the club when he dispossessed Farman and rolled into an empty net.
City began what is likely to be many months without key midfielder Rodri after he sustained suspected knee ligament damage in a fiery 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Little more than 48 hours on from that top-of-the-table clash, City were in action again and Pep Guardiola made nine changes, including a debut for 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite.
Jeremy Doku, one of the two to retain his place, fired in the opening goal from Jack Grealish’s pass after five minutes.
Rodri’s absence could mean a more prominent role for Matheus Nunes and the Portugal international blasted in his first goal since joining City for ￡53 million a year ago.
Tom Ince, son of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince, pulled a late goal back for Watford, but it was too little, too late for the Championship side.
Aston Villa’s second string were also pushed by lower-league opposition, but Emi Buendia’s header and Jhon Duran’s penalty were enough to win 2-1 at Wycombe Wanderers.
Fourth-tier Walsall came closest to an upset as they forced Leicester City to penalties after a 0-0 draw.
However, the Premier League side won the shoot-out 3-0.
Newcastle United’s trip to AFC Wimbledon was postponed after a sinkhole appeared on the League Two side’s pitch following heavy flooding in London this week.
The match has been switched to Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Tuesday next week.
Newcastle have contributed ￡15,000 to a fund to help repair the pitch at Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were among the sides to progress to round four last week.
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
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