English League Cup: Christopher Nkunku scores hat-trick to lead Chelsea 5-0 past Barrow

Christopher Nkunku took advantage of a rare start for Chelsea on Tuesday in the English League Cup to score a hat-trick against fourth-tier Barrow (5-0). It was the 26-year-old French international’s first hat-trick for the Blues, whom he joined in the summer of 2023 from Leipzig.

The striker, whose first season was marred by injuries, has been considered a second choice at centre-forward since the start of the 2024-2025 season by new Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, who prefers Nicolas Jackson. On Tuesday, he scored the first two goals of the match at Stamford Bridge against the fourth division team in the first quarter of an hour, then the last in the 75th minute.

Another League Two side, Walsall forced Leicester to a penalty shootout after holding on for the entire game (0-0). But they missed their first three attempts, all saved by goalkeeper Danny Ward. Aston Villa struggled to beat third-tier Wycombe (2-1). Unai Emery’s heavily reshuffled side scored twice in the second half before conceding one in added time.

Manchester City, the four-time reigning English champions, beat Championship club Watford 2-1, also with many regular substitutes. Their attack, however, looked great with Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish.