Chelsea Survive Lincoln City Scare to Advance in Carabao Cup

Published: 24 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Chelsea were forced to dig deep to avoid an upset at Sincil Bank as they came from behind to edge past League One side Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup, a match that tested the resolve of Enzo Maresca’s young squad and highlighted once again the unpredictable nature of English cup competitions.

Lincoln, who have built a reputation as set-piece specialists in the lower divisions, took full advantage of their physicality and direct approach to unsettle the Premier League giants. It was a strategy that very nearly paid off, with Michael Skubala’s team deserving their half-time lead and forcing Maresca to deliver what he later described as some “angry words” in the dressing room. For the Italian coach, the contest was not only about securing progression in the competition but also about teaching his emerging players valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability against opponents of a different style.

The opening half could hardly have gone more in Lincoln’s favour. From the first whistle, their approach was clear: press aggressively, launch the ball forward at every opportunity, and exploit Chelsea’s vulnerability under the high ball. The Imps were relentless in their aerial bombardment, using long throws, set-pieces, and direct deliveries into the box to ask constant questions of a makeshift Chelsea backline. It was hardly surprising given Lincoln’s remarkable statistic from last season: 30 goals from set-pieces, the highest across all four divisions of English football.

Rob Street, who celebrates his 24th birthday this week, delivered the moment that home fans will cherish. After a spell of pressure, Ivan Varfolomeev seized upon a careless pass from Enzo Fernández on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, sliding the ball through to Street. With composure belying the occasion, the striker fired low past goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen to give Lincoln a deserved lead. The celebrations that followed reflected both the shock of the moment and the belief coursing through Skubala’s team.

For Chelsea, the first half was a catalogue of errors and hesitancy. Maresca had made eight changes to his starting lineup, offering opportunities to younger players and fringe squad members, but the lack of cohesion was evident. Jörgensen, deputising in goal after Robert Sánchez’s red card against Manchester United, looked uncomfortable under Lincoln’s high balls and long throws. The defensive unit, stripped of its usual organisation, struggled to impose itself physically.

The London club, fresh from back-to-back defeats against United and Bayern Munich, were already under pressure to respond with a performance that reassured supporters. Yet the first 45 minutes at Sincil Bank only deepened doubts. As Maresca admitted afterwards, his players had been outfought and lacked the desire required to handle the particular challenges of a League One opponent.

The turning point came in the manager’s response at half-time. Speaking later, Maresca acknowledged that he had no choice but to raise his voice in the dressing room. “Absolutely,” he said when asked if he had delivered harsh words. “Sometimes it is not about tactics, it is about desire. We knew the game we were going to face—long balls, duels, throw-ins, every time into the box. Some of these players had never faced that kind of game before. They need to learn, and tonight they had to.”

His words had the desired effect. Chelsea re-emerged for the second half with a sharper intensity and an urgency that had been lacking. Within five minutes of the restart, they were not only level but ahead. The equaliser came when Lewis Montsma’s attempted clearance fell kindly to Tyrique George, who struck a sweet shot in off the post from the edge of the penalty area. It was a goal of quality and confidence, shifting the momentum immediately.

Barely two minutes later, Chelsea were in front. A neat interchange down the left released George again, and his pass found Facundo Buonanotte, the Argentine forward on loan from Brighton, who clipped the ball home to score his first goal for the club. In the space of moments, Lincoln’s advantage had been erased, and Chelsea’s composure returned.

From then on, Maresca’s side controlled the tempo more effectively, though Lincoln continued to press with admirable energy. Skubala’s players did not retreat into their shell, instead pushing forward when possible and keeping Chelsea honest until the final whistle. The Imps even forced the Premier League side into time-wasting late on, a reflection of how competitive they had been.

Skubala, understandably, was proud of his team’s efforts despite the result. “I’m really pleased with the first half—it could have been more than 1-0,” he said afterwards. “We are adaptable. We changed shape, went to a 5-diamond-1, and pressed with our midfielders. It was by design, and it worked. At the end, we were disappointed not to take it to penalties, but we can take huge confidence from this. Not many teams make Chelsea time-waste at the end of a game.”

The Lincoln manager also pointed to the spirit within his squad, recalling the club’s famous run to the FA Cup quarter-finals nine seasons ago. That tradition of defying expectations was evident once more, and the home supporters responded with passion throughout, aware they had witnessed a performance of character even in defeat.

For Chelsea, the positives came in the form of their response. Youngsters such as George impressed, while Buonanotte’s goal will boost his confidence after a slow start to his loan spell. Yet concerns remain, particularly about defensive frailties and the team’s ability to handle physical contests. Jörgensen’s hesitancy under pressure will not have gone unnoticed, and Maresca will be aware that sterner tests lie ahead.

Cup competitions, however, are often about survival, and Chelsea did enough to secure their passage to the next round. The match will be remembered less for the quality of the visitors’ play and more for the determination shown by Lincoln, who demonstrated once again why lower-league sides are capable of troubling the elite. For Maresca, the evening may prove a valuable lesson for his developing squad, underlining the importance of resilience, adaptability, and humility in the face of unexpected challenges.

In the broader context, Chelsea remain a club in transition. The departures, new signings, and tactical overhaul under Maresca have yet to produce consistency. Nights such as this one, difficult though they may be, contribute to the process of building cohesion and experience. For Lincoln, the defeat will sting but will also serve as a benchmark of how close they came to upsetting one of England’s most decorated clubs.

As the Carabao Cup progresses, Chelsea’s ambitions will inevitably stretch towards silverware. For now, their focus shifts back to stabilising league form. Yet the memory of a tough night in Lincolnshire may linger, serving as a reminder that success in English football often comes not just from technical ability but from the grit to withstand the unexpected.