ANTONIO CONTE’S mix-and-match line-up cruised to victory — but as usual it was not plain sailing for Chelsea.
A 13th-minute goal by Brazilian Kenedy would not normally stand out from a League Cup tie against Championship opposition. But as this was his first appearance since sending racist tweets and being sent home from the Premier League champions’ tour of China in disgrace, there was a more than a little extra significance.
Particularly as Chelsea have only just fought hard to see off an unsightly episode of offensive chants aimed at Tottenham’s Jewish fans.
Kenedy stunned Chelsea’s directors from the very top with his inexplicable “F*** China” tweet in his native Portuguese just as the club’s diplomatic marketing jaunt to the Far East began in July.
He threw in “Wake up China, idiot” complete with a picture of a sleeping security guard for good measure to send the whole expedition into meltdown. Chelsea were forced to humbly apologise and Kenedy was packed off home to serve his punishment before being paroled last night as part of a rejigged team. It included recovering superstar Eden Hazard, awarded his first start of the season after ankle surgery. There was also a first-ever start for blossoming Belgium forward Charly Musonda.
Forgotten striker Michy Batshuayi, who went on to grab a hat-trick, reserve keeper Willy Caballero, promising Danish centre-half Andreas Christensen and new signing Davide Zappacosta made up a relatively ragtag bunch — still worth millions of pounds, of course.
On the bench were a sprinkling of kids, including Ethan Ampadu, 17, who came on to replace Cesc Fabregas in the 55th minute, plus England Under-20 World Cup winner Jake Clarke-Salter and versatile youngster Dujon Sterling.
Kenedy’s goal was an embarrassment to the Chelsea hierarchy as it reopens old wounds and you can imagine the directors squirming in the posh seats. But it did not totally overshadow a glowing performance in pure football terms.
For as well as Kenedy’s fine goal, Musonda showcased his burgeoning talents, Christensen continued to mature and Batshuayi scored three times in a comprehensive rout.
That was thanks to Hazard, who really stole the show setting up the striker in each half. The first time in the 19th minute when Forest could not clear the danger in front of their box.
Hazard dug the ball out, slid into space then threaded the neatest through ball to Batshuayi, who rolled it under keeper Stephen Henderson.
In the 40th minute Fabregas, who also played a key role in sending Chelsea through with ease, executed a clever reverse ball into the path of Musonda, who fired a shot across the goal and into the bottom corner. The youngster, who has been warned he faces an uphill battle to make it at Chelsea by his fellow Belgian Hazard, then embarked on his best run of the night to the halfway line before diving full length on to the deck in celebration. Hazard then raced on to a smart chip over the defence in the 53rd minute. He beat Forest defender Joe Worrall for pace then rounded Henderson, only to exhibit supreme coolness by opting to lay the ball to Batshuayi to tap in No 4.
He added his third and Chelsea’s fifth four minutes from time. Kenedy may have insulted a superpower in the summer and may find it hard getting back into Conte’s good books as a result. It is sad because the way he took his goal on the volley underlined his talents.
Pretty much every Chelsea match has some baggage attached to it these days, whether it be controversy about the Y-word, even the K-word; sendings-off, sublime skill or players breaking wrists crashing into the pitchside hoardings.
For good measure Conte brought on Clarke-Salter and Sterling to give them a taste of the big time after promising he will do his bit for the kids at Stamford Bridge.
Forest scored a consolation with the last kick of the game through sub Tendayi Darikwa.
From The Sun
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