Chelsea narrowly avoided a Carabao Cup upset against Lincoln City, with Tyrique George starring in a 2-1 win while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen endured a nightmare audition in Robert Sanchez’s absence.
Chelsea survived a major Carabao Cup scare at the LNER Stadium, coming from behind to beat League One side Lincoln City 2-1 in the third round.
Enzo Maresca’s men looked sluggish after their weekend defeat to Manchester United and fell behind shortly before half-time. Rob Street punished some dreadful defending to give Lincoln a deserved lead, as the Blues looked rattled and disjointed.
But 18-year-old Tyrique George sparked the fightback with a thunderous equaliser just after the restart before setting up Facundo Buonanotte to complete a quickfire turnaround. Chelsea still looked vulnerable, with second-choice keeper Filip Jorgensen struggling badly, but they clung on to progress.
Here’s how the Blues rated on a nervy night in Lincoln:
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Filip Jorgensen (3/10): Flapped at crosses, looked shaky throughout and nearly cost his team again. A disastrous audition in Sanchez’s absence.
- Malo Gusto (4/10): Far from his best, weak both defensively and going forward.
- Wesley Fofana (7/10): Shook off an early knock and put in a composed shift at the back.
- Trevoh Chalobah (5/10): Slow to react for Lincoln’s opener and still struggling for rhythm.
- Jorrel Hato (6/10): Nervy start but steadied himself after the break.
Midfield
- Enzo Fernandez (4/10): Gifted Lincoln their opener with a careless pass and failed to impose himself as captain.
- Andrey Santos (5/10): Neat in patches but lacks the physical presence Chelsea need in midfield.
- Facundo Buonanotte (6/10): Anonymous early on but took his goal well and grew into the game.
Attack
- Jamie Gittens (5/10): Flashes of ability but never consistent enough to trouble Lincoln.
- Tyrique George (7/10): Stunning strike to level and an assist soon after. The teenager seized his chance.
- Alejandro Garnacho (5/10): Booed relentlessly by the home crowd and never settled into the game.
Subs & Manager
- Estevao Willian (5/10): Tricks but little end product.
- Shim Mheuka (5/10): Looked raw and uncomfortable.
- Marc Cucurella (7/10): Brought composure and balance when introduced.
- Pedro Neto (7/10): Pacy and dangerous, Chelsea’s most effective winger on the night.
- Reggie Walsh (N/A): Introduced too late to make an impact.
- Enzo Maresca (6/10): His team were overrun in the first half but responded well after his half-time adjustments. Still, progression owed more to individual quality than control.
Chelsea live to fight another day in the Carabao Cup, but Maresca knows performances like this won’t be enough as the fixtures pile up.
