It wasn’t much of a surprise that manager Enzo Maresca would opt for heavy rotation in his starting lineup today against Shamrock Rovers, aside from Marc Cucurella who’s missing our next game against Everton due to suspension. While the experience of the Irish team who had only suffered four goals against them up until today was felt in the first few minutes of the match, the Blues quickly made their presence felt with Marc Guiu getting the opening goal.
A bit of a mental slip allowed the Rovers to score a tying goal from range via Markus Poom in a corner kick. However the Blues returned the favour thrice before the end of the first half, as Guiu completed a hat-trick and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got himself a goal from a Christopher Nkunku-lead attacking foray.
In the second half Chelsea could have taken a more laid-back approach from the get-go. But with so many “B-team” players hungry to show their mettle, the Blues were still pressing extremely high up the pitch to get the Rovers in deep trouble and pushing forward whenever possible. In one of such occasions the Blues got a fifth goal, with Marc Cucurella playing the role of left winger.
Carefree!
After putting pen to paper on an extension, Josh Acheampong gets a second start as right-back for the Blues.
Really good goals from Marc Guiu today. Even though the level of competition has to be kept in mind in these reviews, there’s no way you don’t shower him with praise for a first half hat-trick.
The difference in the level of play between Marc Cucurella and basically the entire Shamrock Rovers team is shocking.
Next up: Everton away in the Premier League.
KTBFFH!