Chelsea 5 -0 Barrow
In the end, it turned out to be a Bridge too far for the League Two leaders but this is one Carabao Cup tie to still live long in Cumbrian memories.
The five-times competition winners paid Barrow the highest compliment - by producing an impressive demolition job with their second-string side.
And 76 years after a 5-0 FA Cup defeat on the same ground, the Bluebirds suffered an unwanted case of déjà vu.
Christopher Nkunku’s double put the fifth-placed Premier League outfit side 2-0 up in 15 minutes.
Enzo Maresca’s side made it 3-0 after 28 minutes with Paul Farman harshly credited with an own goal.
Ex Wolves favourite Pedro Neto added a fourth after half-time before Farman’s more obvious blunder gifted Nkunku his hat-trick 16 minutes from time.
So, no historic fourth round appearance for the first time but this flirtation with football’s upper echelons should stand Barrow in good stead for Saturday’s table topping clash at Gillingham.
For some locals, Barrow’s arrival in West London caused confusion. “Isn’t it a town near Scotland,” said one fan emerging from Fulham Broadway tube station.
“Who are we playing,” asked another. “Some random team,” came the dismissive reply.
Granted the Bluebirds hadn’t been in town since 1948 but surely Clemence’s side deserved greater respect?
But it said everything about the gulf in resources that Chelsea changed the entire starting team from last weekend’s 3-0 win at West Ham.
Yet their latest ‘first’ eleven included Mykhailo Mudryk - signed for £89 million - Pedro Neto (£54m) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a bargain £30m from Leicester City.
And there was also £106 million Enzo Fernandez waiting in the wings.
Clemence’s latest choice included a solitary switch from the side that beat Newport 2-0 at Holker Street; Emile Acquah starting instead of Katia Kouyate
It was perhaps no surprise when Chelsea took an eighth-minute lead in their first attack.
Joao Felix chipped a ball over the Barrow back line and Nkunku calmly prodded the ball beyond Farman’s reach for his fourth goal of the season.
Acquah’s riposte minutes later lacked the same quality. ‘Only here to see the Barrow,’ was the away fans happy chorus of approval.
But Nkunku had the perfect response, audaciously flicking in his second goal from Malo Gusto’s cross.
Barrow’s task was hard enough without conceding free kicks 20 yards from their goal.
Sam Foley’s tackle on Gusto brought him a booking and Felix curled in the free kick via the left hand upright and Farman’s back.
Former young Blue Neo Eccleston and Dom Telford came off the bench at the break for Feely and Acquah.
But just three minutes into the second half, Chelsea went 4-0 up. Nkunku and unselfish Mudryk created the chance for Neto to produce a routine close-range finish for his first goal since joining the club.
Eventually, Barrow retaliated and Kian Spence’s free kick had Filip Jorgensen scrambling to save by his near post.
Farman prevented Benoit Badiashile heading in a fifth after 56 minutes before Chelsea began to raise the changes.
Spence’s dipping free kick saw Jorgensen at full stretch while substitute Junior Tiensia couldn’t connect in the resulting goalmouth scramble.
However, when Farman was caught in possession, trying to play out with his feet, Nkunku dispossessed him and rolled the ball into an empty net.
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