Batshauyi scores hat-trick in Chelsea cup win
Chelsea 5 Nottingham Forest 1
Michy Batshuayi scored a hat-trick and Charly Musonda netted on his full Chelsea debut as they easily progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Early goals from Kenedy and Batshuayi put them two up at Stamford Bridge before the lively Musonda also found the net before the break.
Batshuayi struck again early in the second half before summer signing Ethan Ampadu and academy product Dujon Sterling, both 17, were brought on for their senior debuts.
And Batshuayi completed his hat-trick late on to cap a resounding Chelsea victory.
Kenedy, making his first appearance of the season, opened the scoring by rounding off a slick Blues move with a cool first-time finish at the far post on 13 minutes.
Musonda was involved in the build up, jinking his way past two challenges and finding Cesc Fabregas.
When Fabregas in turn found Antonio Rudiger, the German defender sent in a cross and Kenedy sneaked behind Nottingham Forest right-back Eric Lichaj to sidefoot home.
The hosts doubled their lead six minutes later when Eden Hazard, making his first Chelsea start of the campaign, slotted the ball through to Batshuayi, who fired through the legs of keeper Stephen Henderson.
Chelsea dominated, although Forest very nearly pulled a goal back when Kieran Dowell curled a free-kick against the bar shortly before the half-hour mark.
It was a rare foray forward for the Championship side and Musonda scored six minutes before the interval with a firmly-struck shot into the far corner from the right-hand side of the penalty area after collecting Fabregas’ pass.
The fit-again Hazard, who completed the 90 minutes, almost made it four soon after the restart when he turned away from former Chelsea man Michael Mancienne and drove a right-footed shot against the post from near the edge of the penalty area.
The fourth goal eventually arrived on 53 minutes and once again Fabregas was involved.
Hazard raced on to the Spaniard’s ball over the top, tricked his way past Henderson and then teed up Batshuayi for a simple finish.
There was a touch of good fortune about the fifth goal, with the ball bouncing off Batshuayi and into the net after Kenedy’s shot had hit the bar.
Substitute Tendayi Darikwa netted a consolation goal for Forest with the final kick of the match.
Chelsea: Cabellero; Rudiger, Christensen (Clarke-Salter 71), Cahill; Zappacosta (Sterling 76), Bakayoko, Fabregas (Ampadu 56), Kenedy; Musonda, Hazard, Batshuayi.
Subs not used: Eduardo, Moses, Willian, Morata.
