Nahki Wells scored a hat-trick as Colchester United's under-23s were beaten 4-0 at Burnley in their opening Premier League Cup group game.

Bermuda international Wells, who cost the Clarets £5m when he joined from Premier League rivals Huddersfield Town in the summer, put the young U's side to the sword.

Having reached the quarter-final stages of last year's competition, Colchester's opening venture into this season’s group did go as planned in a match played at non-league side Curzon Ashton FC.

Wayne Brown's side fell behind after just seven minutes when former Bradford City striker Wells prodded the ball into the net after a set piece move.

Colchester went close when Eoin McKeown was denied by home keeper Aiden Stone and a minute later, Burnley lost Harry Flowers due to an injury which saw him replaced by James Clarke.

But the disruption did hinder them as Wells scored again after 34 minutes as he slipped the ball in from close range, after a cross from Ali Koiki.

And Burnley added a third goal six minutes later with a spectacular goal by Tinashe Chakwana as he volleyed the ball home from inside the box.

There was a further double blow for Colchester just before half-time.

Wells was fouled as he broke into the penalty area by U’s defender Will Wright who was sent off.

And the Burnley marksman completed his hat-trick when he drove his spot-kick into the net.

At 4-0 down at half-time, things then looked very bleak for Colchester.

In a much quieter second half, soon after the break, Bayode went close as he cut inside and between defenders before shooting narrowly wide.

Wells almost scored again midway through the second half when his shot hit a post but four goals proved more than enough for Burnley.

Colchester United: Dan Wilks, George Brown, Will Wright, J J Wilson, Callum Sturgess, Diaz Wright, Tarryn Allarakhia, Charley Edge, Eoin McKeown, Tariq Issa, Decarrey Sheriff.

Substitutes: Dominic Kurasik, Ollie Kensdale, Sam Warde, Dean Ager.

Burnley: Aidan Stone, Arien Birch, Oliver Younger, Harry Flowers, Ali Koiki, Rahis Nabi, Tunde Bayode, Mark Howarth, Dwight McNeil, Tinashe Chakwana, Nakhi Wells.

Substitutes: Connor King, Christian N’Guessan, James Clarke, Jamie Thomas, Harry Limb.