Chelsea Advances in Carabao Cup After Narrow Victory Over Lincoln City

Chelsea FC faced Lincoln City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on September 23, 2025, at the LNER Stadium. The match began poorly for Chelsea, who fell behind to a goal from Lincoln's Rob Street just before halftime. However, a strong second-half performance, featuring goals from Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte, allowed Chelsea to secure a 2-1 victory and progress to the fourth round.

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The match started with Lincoln City applying immediate pressure, hitting the post within two minutes. Chelsea struggled to find their rhythm, and a defensive error from Enzo Fernandez led to Street's goal in the 43rd minute, putting Lincoln ahead at halftime. Chelsea's first-half performance was characterized by missed opportunities and shaky defending, with Filip Jorgensen, making his first start in goal, facing numerous threats from Lincoln's set pieces.

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Chelsea emerged from the halftime break with renewed determination. Just three minutes into the second half, Tyrique George equalized with a stunning half-volley from outside the box. Almost immediately, George assisted Buonanotte, who scored his first goal for Chelsea, putting the Blues ahead 2-1 within five minutes of the restart. This rapid turnaround shifted the momentum in favor of Chelsea, who managed to maintain control for the remainder of the match despite Lincoln's attempts to equalize.

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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca made significant changes to the lineup, rotating eight players from the previous match against Manchester United. The inclusion of young talents like George and Buonanotte proved pivotal. Maresca's halftime adjustments were crucial, as he emphasized the need for a different approach against lower-league opposition, highlighting the importance of desire and experience in such matches.

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After the match, Maresca acknowledged the team's poor first-half performance, stating, "Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely," when asked if he expressed anger at halftime. He noted that the experience gained from this match would be beneficial for future encounters against lower-league teams. Lincoln's head coach, Michael Skubala, expressed pride in his team's effort, stating, "I'm really proud of the overall performance but also frustrated because we think we could have got more out of the game."

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Despite the victory, Chelsea's performance drew criticism, particularly for their first-half display. Pundits and fans alike noted that the team appeared disorganized and lacked urgency, raising concerns about their defensive capabilities. Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, previously criticized Chelsea's defensive setup, suggesting it would hinder their title aspirations.

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Following this victory, Chelsea will shift their focus back to the Premier League, where they will host Brighton & Hove Albion on September 27, 2025. The team will also prepare for a Champions League match against Benfica on September 30, 2025. The draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup will take place after the conclusion of Arsenal's match against Port Vale.

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• “Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely.” — Enzo Maresca, Chelsea Head Coach

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• “Imps head coach Michael Skubala said: "I'm really proud of the overall performance but also frustrated because we think we could have got more out of the game as well.” — Michael Skubala, Lincoln City Head Coach

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Chelsea's ability to rally in the second half demonstrates their resilience, but the team will need to address their inconsistencies as they continue their campaign across multiple competitions.

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