Chelsea Cruise with Nkunku Hat-Trick, Man City Advance in League Cup

Christopher Nkunku netted a hat-trick in Chelsea's 5-0 victory over fourth-tier Barrow, securing their place in the League Cup last 16 on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Manchester City advanced after a 2-1 win over Watford.

Nkunku's performance takes his tally to six goals in seven appearances this season, although he has yet to solidify a regular spot in Enzo Maresca's lineup. Maresca, having made 11 changes from the side that beat West Ham 3-0 last weekend, still fielded talent valued at around £400 million ($533 million).

Joao Felix contributed to Chelsea's win with a scooped pass that set up Nkunku's first goal. Nkunku then scored his second with a flicked effort, and Felix's free-kick hit the post, rebounding in off Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman. Pedro Neto added a fourth with a tap-in from Mykhailo Mudryk's cross, while Nkunku completed his hat-trick by dispossessing Farman and scoring into an empty net.

Manchester City faced Watford just 48 hours after a 2-2 Premier League draw against Arsenal, which saw key midfielder Rodri suffer a suspected knee ligament injury. With nine changes to his squad, Pep Guardiola handed a debut to 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite. Jeremy Doku, one of the few to retain his spot, opened the scoring from a Jack Grealish assist five minutes into the match.

Matheus Nunes, stepping up in Rodri's absence, scored his first goal for City since joining the club for £53 million last year. Watford's Tom Ince, son of former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince, pulled a goal back late on, but it wasn't enough to overturn the deficit.

Aston Villa's second-string lineup was tested by Wycombe but secured a 2-1 win thanks to Emi Buendia's header and Jhon Duran's penalty. Elsewhere, Leicester avoided an upset by beating Walsall 3-0 on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

Newcastle's League Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon was postponed due to a sinkhole at Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium caused by heavy flooding in London. The fixture will be played at Newcastle's St. James Park on October 1, with Newcastle donating £15,000 to help repair the damaged pitch.

Other notable results from last week saw Manchester United and Tottenham secure their places in round four, while Liverpool will face West Ham, and Arsenal will take on Bolton in the remaining ties on Wednesday.