Chelsea narrowly escaped a shocking Carabao Cup upset on Tuesday night, coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Lincoln City in the third round. The Blues, who were without first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, were rattled for large parts of the match but managed to turn things around thanks to an inspired performance from Tyrique George.
George played a pivotal role for the west Londoners, contributing both a goal and an assist to rescue Chelsea from potential embarrassment against the League One side. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen endured a difficult evening, struggling to contain Lincoln’s attacking threats and committing several errors in Robert Sanchez’s absence, which kept the tie nervously balanced until the final whistle.
The Club World Cup holders appeared sluggish and disconnected in the first half, looking vulnerable and vulnerable to a major upset against their lower-league opponents. Lincoln, on the other hand, started the match brightly, taking advantage of Chelsea’s lackluster opening performance.
Lincoln strike first
Chelsea seemed to carry over the effects of their weekend defeat to Manchester United, entering the Carabao Cup clash flat and unconvincing. Lincoln quickly seized the initiative, showing composure and intent on taking an early lead against the Premier League giants.
Lewis Montsma came close to giving the visitors the lead when his shot struck the post. Shortly afterward, Rob Street capitalised on a lapse in Chelsea’s defence to fire Lincoln ahead in the 42nd minute. The goal left Chelsea looking disjointed and struggling to mount any meaningful attacks, while their defence appeared shaky and disorganised heading into halftime.
George inspires fightback
The match dramatically shifted shortly after the second half began. Tyrique George unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area, leveling the score at 1-1 and injecting much-needed energy into the Blues. The equaliser lifted Chelsea’s spirits and set the stage for a swift turnaround.
Moments later, Facundo Buonanotte showcased his dribbling prowess, weaving through Lincoln’s defence before slotting home the winner in the 50th minute. The quick-fire goals demonstrated Chelsea’s ability to respond under pressure, but the team never fully looked comfortable, leaving their defensive frailties exposed for the remainder of the match.
Nervous progress
Despite eventually securing their place in the next round, Chelsea’s performance raised fresh concerns for manager Enzo Maresca. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities were apparent throughout the contest, and Jorgensen’s error-prone display in goal highlighted the potential challenges of playing without Sanchez. While George’s impact was a significant positive, the Blues’ lack of cohesion and defensive lapses suggest there is much work to be done before their next fixture.
Maresca and his coaching staff will likely focus on addressing the defensive issues and improving overall team coordination. The match served as a reminder that even top-tier clubs cannot underestimate lower-league opponents, particularly in knockout competitions like the Carabao Cup, where a single mistake can result in a dramatic upset.