MARC GUIU BAGS HAT-TRICK AS CHELSEA THRASH SHAMROCK ROVERS TO FINISH TOP OF THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE, LEAGUE PHASE.

A first half hat trick from Marc Guiu alongside goals from Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Cucurella were enough to ease Chelsea to a 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers. The result secures the Blues top spot in UEFA Conference League, League Phase, while Rovers finished 10th bagging them a place in the playoff round.

Chelsea dominated the early exchanges but took the lead courtesy of a breakdown of communication in Rovers’ backline as Darragh Burns headed past his own goalkeeper to give Guiu the easiest of tap-ins. Rovers then had their dream moment as just moments after conceding they won a corner which found its way to Markus Poom who fired in a volley from the edge of the box.

However, the away fans delight was quickly derailed as another mistake at the back, this time Daniel Cleary under hitting a back pass, allowed Guiu to once again pounce and add his second of the game, restoring Chelsea’s lead.

The hosts then turned up the intensity and added two more before the break. First a composed finish from Dewsbury-Hall, before Guiu completed a first half hat-trick, just seconds before the whistle, expertly guiding home a Madueke cross.

The second period was a similar affair as Chelsea began using it as an opportunity to give a raft of youngsters first-team minutes. Yet, it was one of their senior men who completed the rout as Cucurella applied an accurate finish with his right foot to score Chelsea’s fifth and final goal of the game.

It was a commanding performance to round off a perfect league phase for Chelsea as they finish top with six wins from six. Meanwhile, Rovers will no doubt be better for the experience but after dropping down to 10th will now face a playoff game in February.