Chelsea survived a scare before a last minute goal to win against Lincoln City. They won 2-1 in the Carabao Cup third round. Against a third-tier side, the Blues had to fight hard. Especially after a bad first half that left them in a deficit. In the end, a brace of quickfire goals turned the tide.
Chelsea vs Lincoln : Dominate Early On
Right from the start, Lincoln tested Chelsea’s nerves. They nearly scored in the opening minutes, hitting woodwork, and continued to press with direct attacks and set pieces. Chelsea’s defense looked vulnerable. The Imps struck first just before half time, capitalizing on a careless pass across the back by Chelsea’s defenders.
Chelsea : Second Half Spark Shifts Momentum
After the break, the game flipped. Tyrique George struck with a stunning long shot soon after kickoff, blowing new life into Chelsea’s attack. Just minutes later, he linked up with Facundo Buonanotte who slid in to put Chelsea ahead. That sudden burst forced Lincoln back and gave Chelsea a foothold.
Lincoln kept pushing, though. They forced goal-line clearances and missed big chances — one after another. Chelsea’s goalkeeper and backline were under fire, but the visitors held on in the end.
Player Ratings & Weak Links
The match laid bare some worrying signs. Filip Jorgensen, in goal, looked shaky: he failed to dominate his area, misjudged crosses, and wasn’t confident. Defenders like Trevoh Chalobah struggled, losing duels and failing to recover from errors. Enzo Fernández also had a difficult night, being given low marks for sloppy passes and contributing to the opening goal’s build-up.
On the brighter side, Buonanotte stood out — crafty, energetic, and rewarded with a goal. Andrey Santos and Tyrique George showed promise, bringing energy and snappy decision making when it mattered.
Author’s Insight
This was a win, but not a performance to bank on. Chelsea’s shaky defense and goalkeeping missteps make you wonder if they can handle pressure in tighter ties. Still, the response in the second half showed character: when challenged, they struck quickly.
If Maresca wants to avoid future scares, fixing those defensive lapses and giving confidence to young players will be key. This night may prove useful experience, but Chelsea must sharpen up—complacency may cost more dearly later.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
