Chelsea survive scare as Tyrique George inspires Lincoln comeback in Carabao Cup
Two quick-fire goals after halftime sealed a 2-1 win for Enzo Maresca's side, who had trailed at Sincil Bank before a swift turnaround.
Chelsea survived a scare to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round, coming from behind to beat Lincoln City 2-1 at Sincil Bank as Tyrique George sparked a two-minute turnaround that spared Enzo Maresca's blushes. Lincoln led 1-0 at halftime through Rob Street, and Chelsea had failed to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. George struck in the 48th minute, followed by Facundo Buonanotte two minutes later, to complete a swift, decisive turnaround and keep Chelsea’s cup campaign alive.
Lincoln had been the more enterprising side in the first period, pressing high and exploiting Chelsea’s vulnerability at set-pieces and in transition. A long throw routine prompted Tom Hamer to wind up and Marcus Montsma’s powerful strike hit the inside of the post early in the match. Alejandro Garnacho, who cost about £40 million, started on the wing but found it difficult to impose himself as Maresca briefly shuffled his options. Chelsea’s best moment before the break came when Jorgensen flapped at an attempted punch in the 32nd minute, prompting a scramble in the box. The opener arrived in the 42nd minute, a moment of misfortune for Enzo Fernandez as he tried to play the ball from the edge of his own box; Street seized the rebound and finished past the exposed goalkeeper to give Lincoln a deserved lead at the break.
Chelsea emerged with intent after the restart. George, deployed as a striker, lashed a 20-yard drive beyond Zach Jeacock in the 48th minute to level the tie, and two minutes later Buonanotte capped a slick move with a finish from a one-two with George to put the visitors ahead. Buonanotte’s strike was his first goal for Chelsea since joining on loan from Brighton as cover while Cole Palmer recovers from injury, and it sparked a chorus of relief from the traveling fans as Chelsea finally found a foothold after a difficult first half.
The result adds another chapter to a season infamously marked by defensive lapses and inconsistent form for Chelsea. Lincoln’s menacing start highlighted the Blues’ fragility at times this campaign, including at long throws and set-pieces, a trend Maresca has faced up to in recent weeks. Lincoln’s manager, Michael Skubala, has encouraged his side to press high and test even elite opponents, and the halfway lead seemed justified as Chelsea struggled to create meaningful openings until the second half.
Chelsea’s lineup in this fixture underscored the disparity in resources: the starting XI carried a price tag in the hundreds of millions, while Lincoln’s squad operated more modestly. Chelsea’s total outlay for the match-day squad and the bench was reported near £367.3 million, with add-ons on top, and a bench valued at approximately £247.6 million. Lincoln’s squad, led by a former PE teacher-turned-manager in Skubala, fought with energy and discipline to frustrate the visitors before the second-half turnaround.
The match serves as a reminder that cup ties can hinge on a moment of quality or a decisive mistake. Chelsea had endured a challenging week, including losses to Bayern Munich and Manchester United in recent fixtures, and this result offered a welcome reprieve as Maresca continues to balance development with results. The turnaround also gave Chelsea supporters something to cheer after what had been a tense first half, with the crowd responding as Buonanotte’s goal sealed the win and briefly allowed them to chant about their champions-of-the-world status.
As Lincoln regrouped after the final whistle, the night’s outcome left both teams with clearer next steps. Lincoln turns its attention back to League One action, aiming to build on a spirited performance against a European champion, while Chelsea advance in the competition with momentum gains that could influence their approach to upcoming fixtures in all competitions.