LONDON — You might glance at the 5-0 scoreline, flick on the highlights and assume there was no contest to be had at Stamford Bridge as Barrow were swiftly and comprehensively put to the sword by a Chelsea side which has had a sum invested in their frontline that would cover the League Two leaders’ wage bill for a century.
You would be wrong. Admittedly, Stephen Clemence’s side did not turn a bright start into any unforgettable moments for those who had made the 600-mile round journey to west London on a Tuesday night. To the surprise of precisely no one, it transpired that even the very best the fourth tier has to offer could not really hold back a Golden Boy and a Bundesliga Player of the Season. And, so in the absence of any great competition from their opposition, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku pushed each other to levels greater than those required to beat Barrow.
For those two in particular, the stakes were surprisingly high given the gulf in quality on the field. Felix and Nkunku did not sign for Chelsea to be involved in nights like this and it will not have escaped their notice that so far this season more starter minutes in the Premier League have been afforded to the likes of Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, who joined Mykhailo Mudryk on the flanks in this one. Given Nicolas Jackson’s bright start to the season and Cole Palmer’s track record of excellence from last season, there is a real battle to be had for an extremely limited number of spots.
Felix and Nkunku looked up for the fight. Their ingenuity in the final third is worthy of commendation, so is the energy with which they approached their tasks in the ever-dwindling spells of Barrow possession. With Chelsea already a goal to the good, Felix hurtled around his own third, claiming a handball from a black and yellow shirt moments after he appeared to have gotten away with one. Spurred on by the free kick he didn’t get, the Portugal international hurled himself into a challenge in the left back spot. Felix might have arrived with a reputation for flitting out of games in La Liga, but on Wednesday he was determined to involve himself in every aspect of the game.
When Cesare Casadei needed support at the base of midfield, Felix took it on himself to drop deep, hoovering up second balls as often as he served as a passing outlet. Nkunku, the nominal center forward, was no less prepared to follow his number 10 towards his own goal for yeoman’s work. Then once they got back to the final third, they could enjoy themselves.
Felix may never play a Premier League game where he is afforded the space Renato Veiga found him in after eight minutes. Certainly any analysts scouting him would urge their defense not to let Felix get his head up and assess his options. He might just lob a brilliant pass over the backline for Nkunku to stroke in first time on the volley.
With a quarter of an hour played, this contest was ended in emphatic style. Neto’s smart backheel unleashed Malo Gusto down the right flank, his low cross to the near post met with a Gianfranco Zola-esque flick of Nkunku’s boots. Five goals so far this season is quite the compelling case for further opportunities in the biggest games.
Felix thought for an instant that he had joined Nkunku on the scoresheet, his free kick bending onto Paul Farman’s left hand post and then against the Barrow No. 1’s back on the way to goal. It was the sort of strike that Felix would have been as desperate to claim as Farman to rid himself of.
Even as the scoreline mounted Barrow were going down swinging. Before Nkunku’s opener they gave Filip Jorgensen all sorts of trouble with their deliveries into the box and the Chelsea goalkeeper had to be sprightly to keep out two viciously whipped Kian Spence free kicks in the second half.
Their opponents, however, could keep plucking out top tier talent. Ben Chilwell, an England international who his employers were desperate to rid themselves of a month ago, got a second half run out. Following him were two England Under-19 internationals in the form of Tyrique George and Joshua Acheampong, neither of whom were willing to ease the pressure on the visitors’ goal. Indeed the refusal of George to pass when in on goal drew the ire of Felix, who would have been entitled to start coasting much earlier. Still he felt the competition. By then Neto had gone in on the scoring act, Mudryk blowing past his full back and crossing low for the former Wolves man to turn in his first goal at his new club. Soon after Nkunku would pick Farman’s pocket for his hat trick.
The natural inclination might be to discount all this as the inevitable outcome of Europe’s footballing royalty being pitted against a side who have spent 46 of the last 50 years out of the English Football League. The reality, however, is that Chelsea are going to have to negotiate plenty more games where they are prohibitively heavy favorites over the coming weeks of Conference League football.
Tuesday was the platonic ideal for how those assignments should go. Those cast down to the B team in all but name respond with purposeful displays, perhaps enough to nick a starting spot in the next Premier League game, spurning on even better performances from those who want their spot back. Seasoned observers of England’s elite in fringe European competitions know it tends not to work like that. However if Chelsea continue to approach these favorable assignments with the aggression and purpose of Felix and Nkunku, there will be plenty more comprehensive wins ahead of them.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku make their case as Chelsea cruise past Barrow into EFL Cup fourth round
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer