Chelsea made a brilliant start to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Barrow by scoring three goals inside the opening half an hour.
Two of those strikes came from the right boot of Christopher Nkunku before Paul Farman scored an own goal.
But it was Joao Felix who arguably shone the brightest in a starting XI that included zero players who had began Saturday’s 3-0 win at West Ham.
Felix set up Nkunku’s first goal with a delightful chipped through pass.
The Portuguese playmaker was then unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself when his 25-yard free-kick hit the post before rebounding into the net via Barrow keeper Farman’s back.
Chelsea took on Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night and made a brilliant start
Striker Christopher Nkunku and playmaker Joao Felix were in fabulous form at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca (left) made 11 changes to his starting XI for Tuesday’s game
Felix had not started a game for Chelsea this season prior to Tuesday night.
His first four appearances under new manager Enzo Maresca had come as a substitute in the Premier League.
But after seeing Felix dazzle against League Two Barrow, several Blues supporters called on Maresca to give him more game time against stronger opposition.
One fan tweeted: ‘Bench whoever we have to to play Felix. Doesn’t matter who, he can’t be on the bench EVER.’
Reacting to his free-kick that led to the own goal, another message read: ‘When Joao Felix hits the ball, you know the end result.’
A third fan tweeted: ‘That’s exactly why I wanted Felix back. Special player.’
Nkunku also received his fair share of praise via social media.
‘Can’t believe this is our team B,’ wrote one fan reacting to Felix assisting Nkunku in the eighth minute.
Another excited Blues supporter declared: ‘Cup competitions are gna be so fun with Felix & Nkunku around’.