Chelsea top Conference League table with 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers: Five things we learned | OneFootball

Marc Guiu stole the headlines as Chelsea’s dominant run in the Conference League continued with a 5-1 thumping of Irish side Shamrock Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but Rovers quickly equalised from a corner four minutes later courtesy of Marcus Poom.

Guiu restored Chelsea’s lead once again, pouncing on a poorly weighted back pass and rounding the goalkeeper, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled Chelsea’s lead six minutes later.

Guiu capped off an excellent first-half performance with a hat-trick, heading home from Noni Madueke’s pinpoint cross.

Enzo Maresca’s side continued their ruthless attack in the second half, with Marc Cucurella scoring a sublime goal with his weaker foot in the 58th minute.

Harrison Murray-Campbell came on for his Chelsea debut just before the hour mark as the hosts cruised to victory.

Here are five things we learned:

Top spot secured

Chelsea have been the most dominant side in the Conference League this season. Given their squad size and cost, it is no surprise that the Blues have topped the Conference League group stage table.

Maresca’s side have won all six games in the competition, scoring 26 goals while only conceding five. Their dominant performances have made them clear favourites to win the tournament and become the only team in Europe to win all UEFA competitions.

Guiu can’t stop scoring

Guiu scored his first hat-trick in a Chelsea shirt, and it only took him 45 minutes to do so. The 18-year-old striker scored a brace in the Blues’ last game but was determined to go home with the match ball on this occasion. His hat-trick takes his goal tally in the Conference League to six goals in six games. Signed from Barcelona in the summer, Guiu is a player who has gone under the radar in this Chelsea side full of players with world-class potential. The Spaniard is averaging a goal every 56 minutes in the Conference League and is currently Chelsea’s top scorer in the competition.

Acheampong has a clear pathway

Josh Acheampong put pen to paper on a new five-year deal earlier this week. The promising 18-year-old was previously frozen out of the Chelsea squad for not extending his contract, which was viewed as a controversial decision among fans who were aware of his talent. Since being reintegrated into Maresca’s squad, the youngster has proved to be a perfect fit in the hybrid right-back and right centre-back role. With club captain Reece James battling injury once again, without a clear timeline for return, there is a clear pathway for Acheampong to get minutes, and he is grabbing his opportunity with both hands.

George’s time to shine

The news of Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drug test could potentially result in a lengthy ban for the Ukranian international. This would open up additional opportunities for talented left-winger Tyrique George. George and Acheampong were recently promoted to Chelsea’s first team permanently. The 18-year-old has impressed when he has been trusted with minutes and will be looking to capitalize on any additional opportunities Mudryk’s potential absence will bring.

Rovers miss out on automatic qualification:

Shamrock began the day in sixth place in the standings, which would see them achieve automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. However, this heavy defeat means that the Irish side must now compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their spot in the next round.