Barnsley crashed out of the EFL Cup with a 6-0 loss at Premier League giants Chelsea on Wednesday evening.

The Reds had chances to take the lead but gifted their hosts several goals with sloppy individual errors. It was their joint heaviest defeat in a cup game since an 8-1 loss against Derby County at The Baseball Ground in the FA Cup in 1897.

Gerhard Struber made five changes from the side that lost 2-0 at Reading four days earlier. Brad Collins, Aapo Halme, Callum Styles, Cauley Woodrow and Patrick Schmidt replaced Jack Walton, Conor Chaplin, Luke Thomas and the suspended duo of Michal Helik and Mads Andersen. Clark Oduor and Elliot Simoes made the bench after injury alongside teenage centre-back Jasper Moon.

Chelsea should have taken the lead within the first minute when their £70million signing Kai Havertz played in England international Callum Hudson-Odoi on the right of the box but former Chelsea goalkeeper Brad Collins made a fine one-on-one save.

Barnsley began to grow into the game and Styles had a shot blocked in the home box after meeting a cross by Kilian Ludewig. Woodrow's 25-yard strike was tipped over by goalkeeper Willy Caballero then, after the resulting corner was cleared, Halme headed a Ludewig cross into the goalkeeper's arms from close range.

Collins then made another save from Havertz's weak shot on the left of the box after Alex Mowatt lost the ball and Mason Mount found the German. The opening goal came on 18 minutes when Ritzmaier passed the ball back to Halme who was robbed of it by England striker Tammy Abraham who beat Collins in a one-on-one situation.

Ritzmaier forced another save from a tight angle on the left of the box then Mount hit the side netting from a tight angle.

The second goal saw Abraham brilliantly dummy a pass by Mount in the box and the ball ran to Havertz to fire in from eight yards out.

Caballero made another save, turning a 20-yard Schmidt effort around his right corner then Michael Sollbauer headed wide from close range at the back post from Ritzmaier's corner.

Struber brought Thomas on for Woodrow at half-time. It was 3-0 four minutes after the interval when captain Mowatt was tackled just outside his box by Havertz and Ross Barkley ran through to score.

The fourth goal saw Sollbauer robbed by Mateo Kovacic on the left wing then his low cross was brilliantly backheeled by Abraham into the path of Havertz who fired in from ten yards out. The hat-trick was completed when Collins ran out of his box to try to clear an excellent pass by Abraham but was beaten to it by Havertz who rounded him then tapped into the empty net.

Schmidt shot straight at the goalkeeper from 20 yards out then Barkley missed an open goal after substitute Oliver Giroud squared to him. Substitute Clarke Oduor then forced another routine save out of Caballero with a shot from just inside the box. Cesar Azpilicueta headed a good chance wide at the back post from a Kovacic cross.

The sixth goal came from a stopping header by Giroud who met a left-wing cross by Ben Chilwell.

Barnsley (3-4-1-2): Collins; Sollbauer, Halme, J Williams; Ludewig, Mowatt, Ritzmaier (Oduor 57mins), Styles; Woodrow (Thomas HT); Frieser (Chaplin 57), Schmidt.Subs: Walton, Moon, Simoes, Adeboyejo Yellow cards: Collins.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Caballero; Azpilicueta, Tomori, Silva (Zouma 61mins), Emerson; Barkley, Kovacic, Mount; Havertz (Chilwell 67); Abraham (Grioud 72), Hudson-Odoi. Subs: Baxter, James, Jorginho, Werner, Giroud. Goals: Abraham 18; Havertz 28, 54, 65; Barkley 49; Giroud 83.

AS IT HAPPENED
  • 18:38pm
     
    Good evening and welcome to the Chronicle's live text coverage of Barnsley's game at Premier League giants Chelsea in the third round of the EFL Cup from 7.45pm.
  • 18:38pm
     
    Team news is expected to be revealed at 6.45pm. The Reds have centre-backs Michal Helik and Mads Andersen suspended after their red cards at Reading on Saturday.
  • 18:46pm
     
    Barnsley: Collins; Sollbauer, Halme, J Williams; Ludewig, Mowatt, Ritzmaier, Styles; Woodrow; Frieser, Schmidt. Subs: Walton, Moon, Oduor, Simoes, Thomas, Chaplin, Adeboyejo
  • 18:46pm
     
    Brad Collins, Aapo Halme, Callum Styles, Cauley Woodrow and Patrick Schmidt replace Jack Walton, Conor Chaplin, Luke Thomas and the suspended duo of Michal Helik and Mads Andersen.
  • 18:52pm
     
    Chelsea: Caballero; Azpilicueta, Tomori, Silva, Emerson; Barkley, Kovacic, Mount, Havertz; Abraham, Hudson-Odoi. Subs: Baxter, James, Zouma, Chilwell, Jorginho, Werner, Giroud.
  • 18:56pm
     
    So Chelsea have picked a strong team, with £70million signing Kai Havertz starting up. They also have Thiago Silva whose last game was in the Champions League final for PSG.
  • 19:03pm
     
    So Chelsea have picked a strong team, with £70million signing Kai Havertz starting up. They also have Thiago Silva whose last game was in the Champions League final for PSG.
  • 19:03pm
     
    The Blues have been the biggest spending club in the world this summer, splashing out on German forwards Kai Havertz for £70million and Timo Werner for £45million as well as signing England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester City, also for £45million, and Ajax's Hakim Ziyech for £36million
  • 19:11pm
     
    Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Premier League champions Liverpool in their most recent game on Sunday.
  • 19:17pm
     
    Gerhard Struber, who will pit his wits against Blues boss Frank Lampard, said: "It is a special game against a big, famous club with a big history and special players in every position. It is a very good feeling to play such a massive opponent and a chance to show what he can do."
  • 19:20pm
     
    Struber added: "Chelsea is the big, big, big favourite, and they have many stars in the football world, but we never give up and we believe we can make a good performance. We have to be very brave and we must focus on our game and forget, for the 90 minutes, that we play against this massive opponent."
  • 19:23pm
     
    Struber also said:"If we have winning DNA, maybe we can give Chelsea problems. Over 90 minutes, history shows us that the favourite does not always win. It is a big game for me and for the club. It is my first time against an opponent on this level, it is a special feeling and a special challenge. We will show Chelsea that we have also professional players and that Barnsley is not only a nice place but we are ready for good football."
  • 19:27pm
    Goalkeeper Brad Collins, who came through Chelsea's academy but never played a game, is starting tonight. He said: "I was delighted when I saw the draw. It doesn't come around very often so to play at Stamford Bridge is a fantastic opportunity. I was there for ten years so I spent a lot of my life there and it has a special place in my heart. We will go there to win. They have a lot of talented players but we have to believe in ourselves. We are a good football team as well. It's important that we play our style and cause them problems."
  • 19:33pm
     
    Collins added: "I played with Reuben Loftus-Cheek, Andreas Christensen, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, Reece James. I still speak to Mason and Reece James quite a lot. The assistant manager (Jody Morris) is my old youth team manager. If we win, I will be giving them some banter."
  • 19:33pm
    Striker Patrick Schmidt said: "It's a dream to play at Chelsea. They are the club I was following when I was younger. My dad used to go to Stamford Bridge every year and buy a Chelsea kit. It is the perfect game for me. Didier Drogba was someone I really enjoyed watching. When I was young our password on the computer was 'Drogba.' We have to focus on the league which is way more important, but I am looking forward to playing against Chelsea."
  • 19:36pm
    The two clubs have not met since Barnsley stunned Chelsea with a 1-0 win in the FA Cup quarter-final in 2008 at Oakwell thanks to Kayode Odejayi's header.
  • 19:41pm
     
    The Reds' last trip to Stamford Bridge was a 2-0 loss in 1998 in the Premiership, with goals by Gianluca Vialli and Mark Hughes.
  • 19:42pm
     
    Barnsley's previous trip to Chelsea was in 1989 when they lost 5-3 in Division Two, as the away scorers were Mark Robinson, Jim Dobbin and Steve Agnew.
  • 19:42pm
     
    The two clubs have met 33 times – with Barnsley losing 17 and winning 11 – mainly before the Second World War and in the 1980s when Chelsea were in the Second Division.
  • 19:42pm
     
    The Reds did the double over the Blues in the 1981/82 season – with Ronnie Glavin twice netting the winner in 2-1 victories – while their last success at Stamford Bridge was by a 3-0 scoreline in March 1983 thanks to strikes by Tony Cunningham, Derrick Parker and an own goal.
  • 19:45pm
     
    The players are out on the pitch
  • 19:46pm
     
    GAME UNDERWAY
  • 19:47pm
     
    1 Huge chance for Chelsea in the first minute. Havertz plays in Callum Hudson-Odoi who is totally free and one on one with Collins who makes a big save
  • 19:48pm
     
    A great start to his return for the goalkeeper who spent ten years in the Chelsea academy
  • 19:50pm
     
    It's been all Chelsea so far in the opening three minutes, the Reds will just look to hold on and get a foothold in the match
  • 19:50pm
     
    Callum Styles is playing at left wing-back and Marcel Ritzmaier in the centre
  • 19:51pm
     
    5 Barnsley get on the ball for the first real time and Ritzmaier does a nice back heel to Styles but then Halme's long ball is aimless
  • 19:54pm
     
    8 Ritzmaier, who is having a decent game so far, plays the ball to Styles about 30 yards out and he skips past two defenders to get into the box but then loses the ball
  • 19:56pm
     
    Ten minutes gone and after a very tough start, the Reds are now holding their own
  • 19:58pm
     
    12 Callum Styles now has a shot blocked in the box after Ludewig's cross is cleared to him
  • 20:00pm
     
    14 Thiago Silva is robbed of the ball by Schmidt but his cross from the right fizzes through the box
  • 20:01pm
     
    15 Woodrow's shot from 25 yards us tipped over by Willy Caballero. The resulting corner is half-cleared then Ludewig's cross is met by the head of Halme but he nods straight at the goalkeeper
  • 20:01pm
     
    The Reds are on top at the moment at Stamford Bridge
  • 20:04pm
     
    18 Chelsea have a chance after Alex Mowatt loses the ball in his half. Mason Mount plays in Havertz on the left but his shot is weak and easily saved by Collins
  • 20:05pm
     
    GOAL!
    Tammy Abraham opens the scoring after Aapo Halme loses the ball
  • 20:07pm
     
    The England international gets the ball off Halme and fires past Collins in a one-on-one situation
  • 20:08pm
     
    22 Barnsley have another shot. This time from Ritzmaier from a very tight angle on the left of the box which is beaten away by the goalkeeper
  • 20:11pm
     
    25 Now Mason Mount fires wide on the left of the box
  • 20:13pm
     
    Chelsea have had more chances but Barnsley have had their moments in this game and could have taken the lead before they conceded
  • 20:15pm
     
    GOAL!
    Kai Havertz doubles the lead
  • 20:15pm
     
    A pass from the left by Mount, Abraham dummies superbly then Havertz finishes
  • 20:19pm
     
    32 Caballero makes another save save, turning wide a 20-yard effort by Schmidt. From the resulting Ritzmaier corner, Sollbauers heads wide at the back post
  • 20:21pm
     
    Barnsley have certainly had their chances but the gulf in class between the sides has been obvious in the penalty area
  • 20:24pm
     
    Aapo Halme off the pitch changing his shirt. He must have blood on the first one or it is ripped
  • 20:29pm
     
    Only a few minutes left in the first half. Barnsley have had probably more chances than their hosts but trail 2-0
  • 20:30pm
     
    44 Big chance. The ball breaks to Frieser in the box and he passes to the left to Ritzmaier who is about ten yards out but shoots straight at the goalkeeper who blocks. Barnsley's best chance so far
  • 20:30pm
     
    YELLOW CARD
    Brad Collins gets a yellow for taking out Abraham just outside the box.
  • 20:32pm
     
    45 Mount fires the free-kick over the bar
  • 20:33pm
     
    HALF-TIME: Chelsea 2, Barnsley 0. The Reds have had more chances than their host but the Premier League giants have been far more ruthless
  • 20:49pm
     
    SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
  • 20:49pm
     
    Luke Thomas is on for Cauley Woodrow
  • 20:54pm
     
    GOAL!
    Ross Barkley makes it three after Alex Mowatt loses the ball just outside his box
  • 20:54pm
     
    A disaster for the Reds captain who lost the ball in a dangerous area earlier in the game
  • 20:56pm
     
    52 Mowatt shoots from 25 yards but it is straight at the goalkeeper. That is after a good move on the left by Styles and Ritzmaier
  • 20:58pm
     
    GOAL!
    Kai Havertz makes it 4-0 from another fine Abraham assist but again Barnsley lose possession in a bad area
  • 21:00pm
     
    Clarke Oduor comes on for Ritzmaier
  • 21:00pm
     
    Conor Chaplin replaces Dominik Frieser
  • 21:01pm
     
    Both Austrians had difficult games. Ritzmaier missed a fine chance after he was at fault for the opener, while Frieser got in good positions in the box but passed instead of shooting twice
  • 21:02pm
     
    The fourth goal saw a cross from the left wing flicked brilliantly by Abraham to Havertz who got his second of the night
  • 21:03pm
     
    It's a case of damage limitation for the Reds now. Or can they get a goal and have a nice moment at Stamford Bridge?
  • 21:04pm
     
    Thiago Silva is replaced by Kurt Zouma
  • 21:08pm
     
    GOAL!
    Kai Havertz completes his hat-trick after rounding Collins in goal
  • 21:09pm
     
    Now Havertz is immediately replaced by £45million Ben Chilwell
  • 21:11pm
     
    The fifth goal saw Abraham play a superb reverse pass to set Havertz through on goal and he beat a hesitant Collins to the ball then tapped into the empty net
  • 21:14pm
     
    71 Schmidt has Barnsley's first shot of the second half it is straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the box
  • 21:15pm
     
    Oliver Giroud replaces Tammy Abraham who has been excellent
  • 21:18pm
     
    It should be 6-0 as Giroud is played through on the right of the box and squares to Barkley who shoots wide of an open goal
  • 21:20pm
     
    77 Chelsea see two corners cleared. They are completely on top and it is just a case of how many
  • 21:21pm
     
    78 Now Clarke Oduor has a shot from the edge of the box but again it is a bit too close to the goalkeeper who parries
  • 21:24pm
     
    81 Cesar Azpilicueta heads wide at the back post from a Mateo Kovacic cross
  • 21:26pm
     
    GOAL!
    Olivier Giroud gets on the scoresheet
  • 21:27pm
     
    The 89-cap France international and World Cup winners stoops to head in from a left-wing cross
  • 21:28pm
     
    Luke Thomas has a good run past several players but shoots over from 20 yards
  • 21:33pm
     
    90 Zouma's acrobatic effort from a left-wing corner is over the bar
  • 21:34pm
     
    FULL-TIME: Chelsea 6, Barnsley 0