Antonio Conte’s Chelsea clinched their place in the fourth round of the League Cup and a showdown with Everton after this comprehensive victory on Wednesday night.

Chelsea took the lead early on through Kenedy, with Michy Batshuayi’s hat-trick a highlight on an evening that also saw youngster Charly Musonda get his name on the scoresheet.

There was a youthful feel about the Chelsea team. Academy graduates Musonda, Andreas Christensen, Jake Clarke-Salter and Dujon Sterling featured.

Conte also gave a debut to 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu, who replaced Cesc Fabregas, as the Blues began to ease off when the match was won.

The Chelsea boss was pleased with the outcome and the performance of his young players, and admitted that he could see them featuring again.

Conte said: “We are a great club, for this reason, every competition is important to us. If we answer like this, why not continue to give the opportunity to these players?

“I have had the possibility to give a chance for the young players from our academy. I think this is very positive. For sure a good night for us.”

Chelsea took the lead on 13 minutes through Kenedy.

The Brazilian applied a cushioned finish to a wonderful team move that ended with Antonio Rudiger picking out his teammate at the back post. There was little goalkeeper Stephen Henderson could do to keep the ball out.

Five minutes later, Batshuayi tucked the ball in from close range after a pass through the visitors’ defence from Eden Hazard.

Forest, four-time winners of the competition, were nearly back in the match when Kieran Dowell struck the crossbar from a free-kick outside the penalty area.

With Mark Warburton’s men offering little resistance, Musonda added a third with a powerful low drive from Fabregas’s pass to put the result beyond doubt. It was his first goal for the club.

Chelsea began the period after the interval powerfully. Hazard lashed a shot against the post on 48 minutes.

However, Batshuayi added a pair on 53 minutes and then again with 10 minutes to go as Chelsea cruised home.

Forest’s Tendayi Darikwa scored a consolation goal late on.