Teenage striker Marc Guiu scored a hat-trick as Chelsea thrashed Shamrock Rovers 5-1 for their sixth straight Europa Conference League win on Thursday, advancing to the last 16 with maximum points.
The 18-year-old Guiu took over as the competition’s leading scorer with six goals, two of which came in the win away to Astana last week.
The young Spaniard headed Chelsea in front after a defensive mix-up but a deflected effort from Markus Poom — the son of former Derby, Sunderland and Arsenal goalkeeper Mart — brought the Irish visitors level.
Guiu took advantage of another mistake at the back to restore Chelsea’s lead at Stamford Bridge, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall adding another before Guiu completed his treble by heading home in first-half stoppage time.
Marc Cucurella fired in a fifth for the Blues around the hour as Chelsea finished the league phase with 26 goals scored and again underlined their status as the title favourites.
Shamrock, who began the night as one of only three remaining unbeaten teams, will head into the draw for Friday’s knockout phase play-offs among the seeded sides after qualifying with 11 points.
Thursday’s night display by Chelsea shows how manager Enzo Maresca utilizes his large squad by keeping players fresh with a very much changed side. The Blues have been phenomenal right from the matchday one fixture of the UEFA Conference League securing maximum points needed for qualification into the last 16.
Their superiority over other teams shows in the competition is a testament to the fact that they have got quality additions in every position.
Maresca’s men return to Premier League action when they travel to the Godison Park to face Sean Dyche’s Everton on Sunday as they aim to hunt down league leaders Liverpool.
