Christopher Nkunku on Tuesday scored a hat-trick as Chelsea thrashed fourth-tier Barrow 5-0 to reach the last 16 of the League Cup as a much-changed Manchester City edged out Watford 2-1.
Nkunku now has six goals in seven appearances this season, but the Frenchman has still been unable to nail down a regular place in Enzo Maresca’s side.
Maresca made 11 changes from the team that beat West Ham United 3-0 on Saturday, but could still start about ￡400 million (US$535.3 million) worth of talent.
Photo: Reuters
Joao Felix was another of the Blues’ big money signings to shine. His scooped pass set up Nkunku for opener.
Nkunku then flicked home a second before Felix’s free-kick hit the post and rebounded in off Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman.
Pedro Neto tapped in Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross for his first Chelsea goal. Nkunku sealed his first hat-trick for the club when he dispossessed Farman and rolled into an empty net.
City began what is likely to be many months without key midfielder Rodri after he sustained suspected knee ligament damage in a fiery 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Little more than 48 hours on from that top-of-the-table clash, City were in action again and Pep Guardiola made nine changes, including a debut for 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite.
Jeremy Doku, one of the two to retain his place, fired in the opening goal from Jack Grealish’s pass after five minutes.
Rodri’s absence could mean a more prominent role for Matheus Nunes and the Portugal international blasted in his first goal since joining City for ￡53 million a year ago.
Tom Ince, son of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince, pulled a late goal back for Watford, but it was too little, too late for the Championship side.
Aston Villa’s second string were also pushed by lower-league opposition, but Emi Buendia’s header and Jhon Duran’s penalty were enough to win 2-1 at Wycombe Wanderers.
Fourth-tier Walsall came closest to an upset as they forced Leicester City to penalties after a 0-0 draw.
However, the Premier League side won the shoot-out 3-0.
Newcastle United’s trip to AFC Wimbledon was postponed after a sinkhole appeared on the League Two side’s pitch following heavy flooding in London this week.
The match has been switched to Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Tuesday next week.
Newcastle have contributed ￡15,000 to a fund to help repair the pitch at Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were among the sides to progress to round four last week.
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
Team Taiwan are set to face Spain in a win-or-go-home match tonight for the final berth at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), despite losing to Nicaragua 6-0 in the WBC qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Sunday. The home team’s loss on Sunday means Nicaragua finish first in the qualifier round in Taipei with a perfect 3-0 record and advances to next year’s finals. After crushing South Africa 9-1 earlier on Sunday, Spain took second place in the four-team qualifier with a 2-1 record. With a 1-2 record, Taiwan finished third while South Africa placed at the bottom with
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
LONG TIME COMING: With the addition of Marcus Smart, the Washington Wizards finally held a team to under 100 points, the last team this season to do so The Detroit Pistons on Monday won their seventh straight game in the NBA with in-form Cade Cunningham making 32 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 106-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pistons, who are in the playoff position, moved to 32-26, their best record at this stage of a season for 17 years. It was an all-round effort from Detroit with Tobias Harris adding 20 points and Jalen Duren making 19 rebounds along with his 12 points. It was a tight contest until Detroit pulled away late in the third quarter to tie their longest winning streak since the 2014-2015
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