In a thrilling night of football, Chelsea's newest star, Christopher Nkunku, showcased his immense talent by netting a spectacular hat-trick in a commanding 5-0 victory against League Two outfit Barrow in the Carabao Cup. Despite significant changes in the lineup, Chelsea proved they have depth and quality even when rotating players, continuing their strong start under manager Enzo Maresca.

The match at Stamford Bridge was exhilarating from the outset, with Nkunku scoring two early goals that set the tone for the showdown. The Frenchman’s first came from a beautiful setup, showcasing his finishing prowess. Shortly after, Joao Felix nearly added to the tally with a free-kick that struck the post, only to fortuitously rebound off Barrow's goalkeeper, Paul Farman, resulting in a bizarre own goal.

After halftime, Pedro Neto joined the scoring party, marking his first goal for Chelsea with a well-placed shot. Nkunku then capped off his impressive performance, completing his hat-trick and solidifying the victory that left Chelsea fans buzzing with excitement.

In the other Carabao Cup matches, Manchester City faced an unexpected challenge against Championship side Watford but managed to come away with a 2-1 win. First-half efforts from Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes paved the way for Pep Guardiola's side to navigate into the next round. Despite a late resurgence from the Hornets, ignited by a striking goal from Tom Ince, City held firm to secure their place in the fourth round.

Aston Villa also advanced with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers. Emiliano Buendia, making his comeback this season after a long injury layoff, scored the opener, complemented by Jhon Duran converting a late penalty. Wycombe pulled one back, but it was not enough to thwart Villa.

In an intense encounter at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, Leicester City’s goalkeeper, Danny Ward, turned hero in the penalty shootout against Walsall. After a tense 90 minutes without goals, Ward's three penalty saves propelled the Foxes through in a definitive 3-0 shootout victory.

The Carabao Cup continues to deliver thrilling moments and surprising turns, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the competition progresses. With top teams like Chelsea and Manchester City displaying their prowess, the upcoming rounds promise even more excitement and drama!