Finally some light? French striker Christopher Nkunku took advantage of a rare start with Chelsea on Tuesday in the English League Cup to score a hat-trick against fourth-division Barrow (5-0). This is the 26-year-old French international’s first hat-trick with the “Blues”, whom he joined in the summer of 2023 from Leipzig.
The striker, whose first season was marred by injuries (knee, then hip, 14 games in all competitions), has been considered a second choice at centre-forward since the start of the 2024-2025 season by Chelsea’s new coach, Enzo Maresca, who prefers Nicolas Jackson (only 1 start in 5 games for 1 goal). On Tuesday, the international (10 caps) 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.
Manchester City also qualified
Fellow League Two side Walsall pushed Leicester City 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.
Premier League powerhouse Aston Villa struggled to beat third-tier side Wycombe 2-1. Unai Emery’s heavily revamped team scored two goals in the second half before conceding one in added time.
Manchester City, the four-time reigning English champions, beat second-tier club Watford 2-1, also with many regular substitutes. Their attack, however, looked great with Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish.
