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Chelsea 5 Nottingham Forest 1: Kenedy returns to Chelsea ranks to set up Carabao Cup romp
Social media and diplomatic relations might not be his thing, but Kenedy offered encouragement that he still might have a career as a Chelsea footballer.
The last time Kenedy did anything of note, Chelsea were forced to issue a grovelling apology in both English and Mandarin after the Brazilian had posted a video on Instagram of a sleeping security guard with the message: “Wake up China. You idiot.”
It was roughly 3am on Thursday morning in China when Kenedy marked his first Chelsea appearance, in the competition sponsored by an energy drink, since being sent home from the pre-season tour in disgrace with a goal against Nottingham Forest.
Quite what Chinese football fans and the newspaper that wrote ‘China does not welcome a player like this; nor does China welcome a team like this’ will make of the fact Kenedy was among Chelsea’s Carabao Cup goalscorers remains to be seen.
But head coach Antonio Conte was delighted with Kenedy’s comeback in the thrashing of Forest that also saw Charly Musonda score on his full debut and Michy Batshuayi net a hat-trick. Chelsea will now face Everton at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round.
“Kenedy played very well,” said Conte. “He’s working very well, working a lot. He is improving. He has to continue. When there will be the opportunity or any chance, he must exploit it.”
Ethan Ampadu, who turned 17 last week, became the ninth youngest player in Chelsea’s history when he replaced Cesc Fabregas in the second half.
The first contribution of Ampadu was to foul Daniel Fox, who had to be replaced by Tendayi Darikwa and it was the Forest substitute who grabbed the away side’s consolation goal on the final whistle.
Chelsea finished the game with Ampadu, 19-year-old Jake Clarke-Salter and 17-year-old Dejan Sterling all on the pitch as Conte had a look into the club’s future.
“I gave a chance to the young players from our academy and this is very positive,” said Conte. “Ethan has the potential to become a good player. He must continue to work with humility and improve, but we must be pleased for tonight.”
David Luiz served the first of his three-game suspension for his red card against Arsenal, which meant Andreas Christensen stepped into Chelsea’s back three.
Central defender Luiz had fractured a bone in his wrist when he collided with an advertising hoarding during the Arsenal clash. The Brazilian is now training with a cast on and the injury will not prevent him facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League next week.
It was Musonda who jinked his way out of trouble to help set up Kenedy’s opener. The Belgian sprayed the ball to Antonio Rudiger, whose cross was coolly cushioned into the net by the Brazilian.
In a lively first-half performance, Kenedy also sent in a low cross from the left that either Batshuayi or Musonda should have converted and smashed a 25-yard drive just over the bar.
Kenedy’s goal had been slightly harsh on Forest, who had started brightly on the 13th anniversary of the great Brian Clough’s death, but the visitors were two down in just the 19th minute.
Eden Hazard, making his first start of the season since undergoing ankle surgery, sent through Batshuayi and the Belgian striker beat Forest goalkeeper Stephen Henderson with a deflected shot.
Forest almost managed a quick reply to reduce Chelsea’s advantage. Cesc Fabregas gave away a free-kick on the edge of his own penalty area and Kieran Dowell was unlucky to see his effort rebound off the crossbar.
But the tie was effectively killed five minutes before the break, when Musonda marked his full debut with a goal. Fabregas laid off the ball to the 20-year-old, who sent an angled effort past the diving Henderson.
Hazard hit the inside of the post just four minutes into the second half and then did brilliantly to hand Batshuayi his second goal of the night on a plate.
Batshuayi completed his hat-trick after Kenedy had struck the Forest bar, before Darikwa pulled a late goal back for the Championship club.