Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was delighted with his side’s performance as they beat Shamrock Rovers 5-1 to complete a perfect Conference League group stage for the favourites.

Marc Guieu scored a first-half hat-trick as Chelsea secured top spot – meaning they won’t play in the competition again until March.

Joining Chelsea in the top eight qualifiers for the last 16 are Vitoria, Fiorentina, Rapid Vienna, Dürrgarten, Lugano, Legia Warsaw and Circle Brugge.

Maresca said: “I am very happy with the performance and the results. It’s easy not to in these types of games. They showed how professional they are and this is the right way.

“We’ve tried to share the minutes since we started – tonight was for the young players.

“Josh Achampong and Tyreek George are still very young, but we’re very happy with them.”

‘Mark is unhappy’

Guieu capitalized on two defensive mistakes before a fine header made it a hat-trick and moved him to the top of the competition’s goalscoring charts.

It’s a first-half hat-trick for 18-year-old Marc Guieu as he heads home to give Chelsea a 4-1 lead 😮‍💨

📺 @tntsports And @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qYWeqUgbIn

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 19, 2024

The 18-year-old has six goals in the Conference League but has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League so far.

Maresca said: “Mark is a bit unhappy as Nicholas (Jackson) and Christopher (Nkunku) are doing well.

“When you’re nine and the other nine are doing well, that’s the question. It is important that they work hard day in and day out and then they get a chance.

“In January we don’t want to sell players, but players who don’t play much will be a bit unhappy.

“It depends on what happens in January and then we decide.”