Chelsea thrashed Shamrock Rovers 5-1 at Stamford Bridge, wrapping up the UEFA Conference League group stage with yet another resounding victory. This win ensured the Blues finished the league phase with a perfect record of six wins from six matches, scoring 26 goals along the way.
The standout player of the night was young striker Marc Guiu, who netted his first Chelsea hat-trick before halftime, showcasing his scoring prowess at just 18 years old. His performance was pivotal to Chelsea’s success against the Irish side, who were left ruing defensive errors and missed opportunities.
The match kicked off with Chelsea dominating possession, but it took them some time to find their rhythm. The home side had the majority of the ball but faced momentary scares as Shamrock Rovers threatened to capitalize on counter-attacks. Notably, Johnny Kenny, Shamrock's joint-top scorer, almost put the visitors ahead within the first few minutes but misfired from close range.
It was Guiu who opened the scoring on 22 minutes, taking advantage of a defensive blunder from Shamrock. A miscommunication between defender Darragh Burns and goalkeeper Leon Pohls allowed Guiu to slide the ball home from close range with the net wide open. Just four minutes later, Shamrock's Markus Poom shocked the home crowd with a well-placed volley to equalize after Chelsea failed to clear a corner effectively.
Despite this setback, Chelsea soon regained their composure. Guiu restored the lead for the Blues, rounding Pohls after another defensive error, this time from Daniel Cleary, who underhit his back-pass. Guiu calmly slotted the ball home for his second goal of the night.
For Chelsea fans, the match was not just about the hat-trick hero Guiu. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put the home side firmly back on top with his goal on the 40-minute mark, running onto Christopher Nkunku's pass inside the box and slotting home with precision.
Guiu capped off his first-half performance by heading home from Noni Madueke's cross right before the halftime whistle, making it 4-1 and effectively killing the contest for the visitors.
The second half saw Chelsea shift gears, knowing their flawless record was secured. The team controlled possession with ease, managing the game without significant threats from Shamrock Rovers, who were unable to create clear chances.
Marc Cucurella added the fifth goal of the evening on 58 minutes, displaying his attacking instincts after receiving the ball from Nkunku. He turned past his marker and fired expertly home off the post, delighting the home crowd.
This victory placed Chelsea at the top of the Conference League table with 18 points from 18 available, the only team to progress to the knockout stages with maximum points. Chelsea's young squad, under the leadership of manager Enzo Maresca, managed to keep up the momentum across both the Premier League and European competition, showcasing depth and talent throughout the squad.
Post-match, Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the performance, highlighting the importance of giving younger players opportunities to shine as the team navigates multiple competitions. "Tonight was for the young players, and I’m very happy with their performances and results," he said, praising their professionalism and effort.
With six wins out of six and exceptional goal-scoring form, Chelsea heads back to Premier League action next week, where they travel to face Everton before returning to host Fulham on Boxing Day. The Blues look focused on maintaining their winning streak as the season progresses, with their eyes firmly set on the Conference League trophy this campaign.
This emphatic victory over Shamrock Rovers sends strong signals not just for their European aspirations but also strengthens the confidence among the young players adjusting to senior football, setting the stage for what could be a transformative season for Chelsea.
