Chelsea took on Nottingham Forest in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge, on a night that belonged to the ‘kids`.
Chelsea dominated the game from the off. A slick move and precise crossfield ball by Antonio Rudiger was volleyed home by Kenedy, after 13 minutes. The young Brazilian who was close to a move away from Chelsea in the summer transfer window, showed plenty of neat touches throughout the game.
Michy Batshuayi doubled the Blues lead just five minutes later, a deflected Eden Hazard through ball found the Batsman in space and he fired underneath the diving Forest keeper from close range.
The best moment of the half came just before half time when Charly Musonda Jr, making his first full appearance for the club, scored his first goal. A reverse pass by Cesc Fabregas set Musonda on a run into the penalty area and powered the ball under the keeper. The young Belgian`s celebration said everything there is to be said about life as a Chelsea development player. As he charged along the touchline, his face was a delight. For all Chelsea fans, it was a special moment.
Chelsea went into the break with a place in the fourth round pretty much secured.
Fabregas who was dictating play from the middle of the park set Eden Hazard, who was making his first start of the season, on another mazy run. Having done all the hard work and having the chance of a shot on goal, Hazard chose to, unselfishly, pass across the box for Batshuayi to strike his second of the game.
In his first full game of the season Hazard showed signs of a definite return to form, an ominous sign for any teams due to face the current Premier League Champions. One his renowned runs ended with the ball deflecting back off the post.
With the game wrapped up, Antonio Conte took the opportunity to blood some of the younger players. First up was the youngest. Becoming the first Chelsea player to have been born in the 2000`s Ethan Ampadu replaced Cesc Fabregas in the 56th minute. Joining Ampadu on the pitch were Jake Clarke-Salter who came on for Andreas Christensen and Dujon Sterling who replaced Davide Zappacosta.
Batshuayi completed his first Chelsea Bat-trick (courtesy of Colin Murray) when Kenedy smashed the ball onto the frame of the goal, and the ball bounced off the unaware Batshuayi and into the net from a metre out.
Although Chelsea didn`t want it, Forest got a goal back with virtually the last kick of the game when Tendayi Darikwa beat Caballero following a quick breakaway. To be fair to the midlands club, they, and their 4,000 travelling fans deserved it.
The draw for the fourth round took place shortly after the game finished and Chelsea can look forward to welcoming Everton to Stamford Bridge during the week commencing 23rd October. Everton progressed having beaten Sunderland 3-0 at Goodison Park.
Most satisfyingly of all, Chelsea got through the game, and still had eleven players on the pitch at the end.
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