T. Darikwa has scored a goal for Nottingham Forest! Assist by J. Cummings.
IT’S A CONSOLATION FOR DARIKWA! The last kick of the game has spoiled Chelsea’s clean sheet. A give-and-go in the penalty area freed Darikwa to take a weak but well placed strike which nestled into the bottom right-hand corner just inches from Caballero’s fingertips. 5-1 Chelsea!
88'
The Chelsea fans in attendance are chanting their demand for a sixth goal, and from the way Chelsea have played so far, it is not an unreasonable request. The Blues have played their opponents off of the park today and could have scored more if not for offsides and poor first touches.
86'
M. Batshuayi has scored a goal for Chelsea!
BATSHUAYI GETS HIS THIRD IN ODD CIRCUMSTANCES! Kenedy belts a volley from the top right-hand side of the box which ricochets off of the crossbar directly into the path of Batshuayi who walks the ball into the net. Its 5-0 for Chelsea and they are fully deserving of it!
82'
Bouchalakis receives a pass in time and space from the right-hand side and opts to fire a shot at Caballero's goal. Just like Clough's free-kick moments earlier, the Greek midfielder's strike goes high.
80'
A free-kick in a dangerous position on the left side of the penalty area was struck well by Zach Clough, but the curler rose just too high and cleared the crossbar. A good effort but not accurate enough to cause Caballero problems.
78'
Forest’s first foray into the attacking third in quite some time ends prematurely with the referee blowing for offside. Forest have shown little determination to press forward since conceding a fourth and it does indeed look like damage limitation from the away side.
76'
D. Sterling enters the game and replaces D. Zappacosta.
Substitution Davide Zappacosta Dujon Sterling
Antonio Conte's pre-match comments on his youth policy are coming into practise as another Chelsea teenager gets his chance to shine.
74'
Z. Clough enters the game and replaces K. Dowell.
Substitution Kieran Dowell Zach Clough
73'
Hazard plays a fantastic cross-field ball to Kenedy who bears down on goal and flicks the ball into a Forest defender. The Reds are unable to keep it in and the ball goes out for a corner kick on the left-hand side.
71'
J. Clarke-Salter enters the game and replaces A. Christensen.
Substitution Andreas Christensen Jake Clarke-Salter
Minute
Description
70'
Ampadou chips the ball over the Forest back-line to Eden Hazard whose centring pass is cleared away for a Chelsea throw-in deep in the attacking third.
67'
Chelsea has reduced this game to a walking pace at times. Their patient and controlled build-up must be extremely frustrating for Forest who cannot get a touch of the ball.
65'
B. Brereton enters the game and replaces T. Walker.
Substitution Tyler Walker Ben Brereton
64'
Chelsea, even with a four goal advantage are pushing ever-forward and looking thoroughly unsatisfied with a mere 4-0 victory.
61'
Chelsea's domination of the scoreline is evident on the stats sheet, with the Blues having more possession, corners and shots taken. They have been superior in every aspect today.
59'
T. Darikwa enters the game and replaces D. Fox.
Substitution Danny Fox Tendayi Darikwa
58'
Ethan Ampadu gets involved instantly after coming on by putting in a hard challenge on Danny Fox, who is subsequently substituted.
56'
E. Ampadu enters the game and replaces Cesc Fàbregas.
Substitution Francesc Fàbregas i Soler Ethan Ampadu
53'
M. Batshuayi has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by E. Hazard.
Assist Eden Hazard
UNSELFISH BRILLIANCE FROM HAZARD TO SET UP BATSHUAYI! Another incredible ball over the top from Fabregas to Hazard lands right on the Belgians foot in the Forest penalty area. Hazard then danced away from two defenders and left the goalkeeper stranded before centring the ball to Batshuayi who only had to get a tap on it. 4-0 Blues!
52'
Chelsea are really doing a great job of controlling the tempo. The game has ebbed and flowed according to their midfield - slowing down or speeding up the pace as they see fit. Forest have been reduced to passengers and have been unable to get a foothold in the match.
50'
It has been a lively second half so far, with both sides coming close to scoring. Forest are attacking with necessary urgency but that could lead to increased gaps in the midfield, and plentiful chances to counter-attack for Chelsea.
48'
Hazard off the woodwork! The Belgian dances his way into the opposition penalty box and fashions himself half a yard of space before taking on the shot with his right foot. The ball strikes the inside of the post and cannons outwards. Very close to 4-0!
47'
Kieran Dowell slips it through to Osborn who has a shot but Caballero saves well! Rudiger comes to clear but slips during his attempt and it almost leads to a comical first goal for Forest. It remains 3-0 however.
46'
Nottingham Forest get the second half underway!
45' +2
The referee blows his whistle and brings the first half of action to a close - much to the relief of Forest boss Mark Warburton. He will need to deliver some passionate words of wisdom to his squad if the visitors hope to be competitive in the second half.
45' +1
CLOSE AGAIN FROM MUSONDA! Fabregas delivers a top quality ball over the top to Musonda who remained onside. The keeper was taken out of the play but Musonda's chip finish rolled just wide-right of the goal.
44'
Lichaj's awful backpass cannot be stopped by Henderson and the ball rolls out for a sloppily conceded corner which Chelsea use to pass close instead of whip in. The Blues seem happy just to control possession and keep the clean sheet until halftime.
42'
It might turn into a day of damage limitation for Forest who have conceded three goals twice in their last three away games.
40'
C. Musonda has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by Cesc Fàbregas.
Assist Francesc Fàbregas i Soler
THATS THREE FOR CHELSEA! Charly Musonda found himself open in the area after Fabregas played the youngster through. A great, powerful, low shot was exactly what was required to beat Henderson and the Blues are cruising to victory.
38'
Fabregas puts in a corner from the right side but the outswinger is cleared quickly by Bouchalakis and the ball ends up at the feet of Willy Caballero to restart the attack.
36'
Bakayoko has a strike! Eden Hazard centres the ball from the right-hand side and Bakayoko steps up to try his luck. A good shot but too weak to trouble the Forest goalkeeper.
34'
STAT: Nottingham Forest have scored at least one goal in each of their last five away games in all competitions. They'll need at least two today or risk being knocked out at this phase of the EFL Cup.
32'
Eden Hazard drives into the penalty area and after some fancy footwork lays the ball to Davide Zappacosta, whose first touch is heavy and the chance amounts to nothing. Disappointing control from the summer signing.
30'
Fantastic endeavour by Bakayoko who wins the ball in the Forest box and creates a bit of panic for the visiting back-line. The ball is eventually cleared for a corner which falls to Kenedy outside of the area. The Brazilian had a crack and the shot flew high and wide-left of Henderson's goal.
28'
Eden Hazard has not started a single match this campaign, but there are no visible signs of his lay-off. Chelsea's player of the season last year has been extremely involved thusfar, creating space for others and turning provider on the game's second goal.
26'
KIERAN DOWELL OFF THE CROSSBAR! A free-kick won by Walker on the edge of the 18 was struck by Dowell who raises it beautifully over the wall, just to be denied by the crossbar. The game remains 2-0.
25'
Another fantastic pass by Fabregas, this time in the attacking third, lets Zappacosta in on goal. The Italian wing-back cooly finishes the move but the referee had already blown for offside. The right decision, but it could very easily have been 3-0.
24'
Kenedy attempts to make up for his earlier mistake by steaming down the left-hand side after receiving a back-heel pass from Eden Hazard. The cross put in was not met by anyone in the middle and the chance went begging.
23'
A brilliant ball from Fabregas at mid-field falls perfectly for Kenedy who had strayed just offside prior to the pass. A missed opportunity to advance for sure.
21'
J. Hobbs gets yellow.
Kieran Dowell loses possession to Bakayoko and in an attempt to stop the onrushing Chelsea midfielder, Hobbs steps in and cynically grabs his jersey. The first yellow card of the match goes the way of Nottingham Forest.
19'
M. Batshuayi has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by E. Hazard.
CHELSEA DOUBLE THE LEAD! In an attempt to play the ball from the back, Forest get caught just in front of their penalty area by Fabregas. The ball trickles to Hazard who plays it through for Batshuayi who slots it home calmly. Less than 20 minutes into the match and its already 2-0 Chelsea!
17'
STAT: Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches at Stamford Bridge. Could that be a negative omen for Forest?
15'
Both sides are pressing very intently when out of possession, with Forest's last push forcing an errant pass from Rudiger which gives the Reds a throw-in in Chelsea territory.
13'
Kenedy has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by A. Rüdiger.
Assist Antonio Rüdiger
FANTASTIC FROM KENEDY TO OPEN THE SCORING! Antonio Rudiger put on a fantastic back-post cross from the right-hand flank which fell perfectly to an onside Kenedy who was free and able to volley it first time past Henderson. 1-0 Chelsea!
10'
Close from Michy Batshuayi! He collected the ball in the penalty area after a pass from Kenedy on the left-wing but dragged his shot just wide of Henderson's goal.
8'
A great last ditch tackle by Jack Hobbs disrupts an Eden Hazard through ball before the scraps are collected by Musonda. Musonda then drives towards goal before having the ball taken off of his feet and out for a corner which amounts to nothing.
6'
Forest once again enjoying a spell of possession but are quickly pushed back to their goalkeeper before losing the ball to Andreas Christensen.
4'
A great shot from Bouchalakis at the edge of the area is deflected and Caballero gets his gloves on the strike easily. An early first strike on goal for Forest.
3'
A slow, cautious start to the game here as both sides use their possession to feel for a weakness in the oppositions midfield. With each side using three centre-backs, the midfield will be a key area.
1'
Chelsea get us underway in their traditional blue kit, attacking from right to left.
The last meeting between these two former European Cup winners took place in 2007, with Chelsea easing to a 3-0 victory en-route to their fourth FA Cup victory. Antonio Conte will enter today’s contest full of confidence after a 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Sunday, which extended the Blues’ undefeated streak in all competitions to five matches.
Twenty-seven spots separate these two sides in the English league pyramid. Defending Premier League champions Chelsea currently sit in third place, three points behind both Manchester clubs. The visitors from Nottingham are currently experiencing a less than ideal start to the Championship season, with the Reds occupying 10th.
Contrarily, Forest’s results have been sporadic at best, with three defeats in their last five matches. They have, however, already played against Premier League opposition in this seasons’ EFL Cup. A 3-2 victory over Newcastle has presented Mark Warburton’s squad a second opportunity at a giant killing – but it will take serious endeavour and defensive organization to overcome Chelsea at home. It promises to be an enthralling 90+ minutes of action!
Chelsea Starting XI (3-4-3): Caballero; Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill (c); Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Kenedy; Musonda, Batshuayi, Hazard.
Chelsea SUBS: Eduardo, Clarke-Salter, Moses, Sterling, Ampadu, Willian, Morata.
Antonio Conte opts for nine changes from the side that drew Arsenal 0-0 on Sunday, with only captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas retaining their places. The Italian manager has also found it suitable to hand Eden Hazard his first start of the new campaign.
Mark Warburton has decided on a formation change, altering the 4-2-3-1 that was used in Saturday's defeat against Wolves. In an attempt to match Chelsea's three at the back, Warburton has made 8 changes to his side - including a start for former Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of the EFL Cup match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest from Stamford Bridge.
The match may have started pragmatically, but Chelsea soon showed their superiority. Top class performances by Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard have clearly illustrated the gulf in class between Premier League elite and Championship regulars. Three great goals by Kenedy, Batshuayi and Musonda have given Chelsea a fully deserved lead at the break.
While admirable, it seems as though Warburton's decision to match Chelsea's three centre-back formation was incorrect. While Forest seem confident in attack, they appeared sloppy and lacklustre when defending in the first half. Perhaps a shift to the more traditional back-four will provide the Forest rearguard some much needed confidence and stability.
Immediately after the ball hit the back of the net, the referee blew his whistle for the final time tonight. Chelsea’s goal may have been breached, but it won’t take away from a thoroughly satisfying home victory.
In a game where the Chelsea youth were given an opportunity to shine, they repaid the manager’s faith wholly. Fantastic goals from Kenedy and Musonda, as well as appearances by Sterling and Ampadu highlighted the quality of Chelsea’s youth sector and provided fans with real cause for encouragement. A first start for Eden Hazard turned into a full 90 minute run-out and a hat-trick by Michy Batshuayi is evidence of Chelsea’s strength in depth. This will certainly boost the confidence of the squad ahead of a very tough trip to Stoke City on Saturday.
As for Nottingham Forest, they were thoroughly and deservedly second-best. A much changed squad and tactical system were taken advantage of early and often, with their only consolidation coming seconds before the end of the match. The gulf in class between Premier League and Championship were on full display in this contest and Mark Warburton must liven his side’s spirits before a tough Saturday of their own – away to Aston Villa.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 5 - 1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
That concludes our coverage today of the EFL Cup match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. Thank you for joining us.
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