Havertz nets first Chelsea hat-trick

(AP):

Three goals for Kai Havertz. A debut for Thiago Silva. Things are slowly falling into place for Chelsea after their off-season spending spree.

After two underwhelming appearances in the Premier League, Havertz, signed for PS72 million from German club Bayer Leverkusen, announced himself in English football by scoring a first career hat-trick in Chelsea's 6-0 win over second-tier Barnsley in the third round of the League Cup yesterday.

The 21-year-old Germany international played in his favoured position behind the striker after being tried in various roles in the forward line so far against Brighton and Liverpool by manager Frank Lampard. He looked more at home as a "No. 10", and his finishing was assured, albeit against modest opposition.

"It was a great night for Kai," Lampard said, "and the first of many for him."

Thiago Silva, meanwhile, lasted 61 minutes before being withdrawn by Lampard as the Brazil centre back looks to build up match sharpness before a league debut, which could come at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Chelsea has spent more than PS196.5 million on new players ahead of this season, with Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, and Ben Chilwell also joining for big fees. Chilwell came on as a 66th-minute substitute against Barnsley for his debut, replacing Havertz, and set up the sixth goal scored by Olivier Giroud.

Chelsea will next play Tottenham or fourth-tier Leyton Orient, whose third-round fixture on Tuesday was postponed after some Orient players contracted the coronavirus.

Yesterday's English League Cup results

Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Millwall 0-2 Burnley

Preston 0-2 Brighton

Stoke 1-0 Gillingham

Chelsea 6-0 Barnsley

Fleetwood 2-5 Everton

Leicester 0-2 Arsenal

Morecambe 0-7 Newcastle