Barnsley (0) 0
Chelsea (3) 6 FT
Scorers: Petrescu 25 Poyet 38 Vialli 44,57,65,82
Chelsea gave Barnsley a `Ruud' awakening to life among the FA Carling Premiership high-rollers as Gullit's men put on a sensational six-goal show. The Yorkshiremen's grit and industry came to nothing against the artistry of the Londoners league of nations as a 19-minute first-half goal glut ripped the heart out of brave Barnsley, while Italian superstar Gianluca Vialli produced a fantastic four-goal flourish. Further goals from Romanian international Dan Petrescu and Uruguayan international Gustavo Poyet further undermined Barnsley's resistance which crumbled underneath the weight of Chelsea's finishing power. It could have been a different story for the Premiership paupers as the gulf between the haves and the have-nots was never apparent in the opening 25 minutes with the Tykes spurning four great chances before Petrescu's deadlock breaking opener. Barnsley skipper Neil Redfearn, scorer of both of his side's goals in the top flight so far, wasted a hat trick of opportunities, including two in the opening ten minutes. Redfearn, who struck a rasping 25-yard winner at Crystal Palace 11 days ago, could only find the travelling Chelsea faithful with a sixth minute effort from inside the area, before Ed de Goey gratefully clung on to a drilled 18 yarder four minutes later. However, £750,000 capture from Bristol City Darren Barnard spurned what should have been Barnsley's opener in the 15th minute as persistence saw him cut through the Chelsea defence, but with only Dutch international de Goey to beat he fluffed his chance and the keeper comfortably accepted the wasted opportunity. De Goey then came to Chelsea's rescue in the 20th minute when he pulled off a superb save to deny Redfearn from 18 yards again, and from then on it was one-way traffic as Chelsea showed their true class and title potential. The rout started when Arjan de Zeeuw failed to clear a simple through ball allowing Petrescu to control before striking a sweet 18-yarder off the inside of David Watson's left-hand post. Thirteen minutes later a Frank Sinclair right-wing cross found the rising Poyet and, although his initial header was superbly blocked at point-blank range by Watson, the free summer transfer was on hand to stab home from inside the six-yard box for his first goal in English football. Italian ace Vialli should have made it three two minutes later but found Watson bravely saving at his feet. But the respite was short-lived for the Tykes' keeper as the bald-headed inspiration soon made amends. In the 44th minute Petrescu's long through-ball cut the Barnsley defence wide open, allowing Vialli to let fly with a sensational 20-yard first-time half-volley for his first Premiership goal since March 12. The second half then turned into a Vialli super show as he headed his second and Chelsea's fourth in the 57th minute. Poyet's cross to the far post found an unmarked Vialli and although Watson was again on hand to initially block, he was unfortunately beaten on the rebound for the second time as the Italian headed home off the underside of the cross bar. Six minutes later Vialli wrapped up a 19 minute hat trick as he superbly beat the advancing Watson with a delightful curler after being set up by Poyet and Chelsea skipper Dennis Wise. Eight minutes from time beleaguered Barnsley were left hanging their heads as Vialli drilled home his fourth from close range and unsurprisingly he left the Oakwell pitch clutching the match ball as a souvenir. Barnsley must now rebuild and quickly as they face a home clash with fellow Premiership new boys Bolton on Wednesday, while Chelsea underlined their potential with an exhibition of stylish finishing.
Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Sheridan (Marcelle, 45), Moses, De Zeeuw, Hendrie (Liddell, 60), Redfearn, Wilkinson (Hristov, 45), Bullock, Tinkler, Barnard.
Subs not used: Appleby, Leese.
Chelsea: De Goey, Petrescu (Granville, 72), Clarke, Poyet (Nicholls, 70), Vialli, Wise, Le Saux, Di Matteo, Myers, Sinclair, Zola (Flo, 55).
Subs not used: Hughes, Hitchcock.
Booked: Wise.
Attendance: 18,170.
Referee: G Poll (Tring).
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