Hello and welcome to football.london's live coverage of Chelsea against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup this evening from Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are coming fresh off the back of their first victory of the 2023/24 season on Friday night as they beat Luton Town 3-0 in the Premier League. Two goals from Raheem Sterling and one from Nicolas Jackson was enough to earn Chelsea three points against the newly-promoted Hatters.
This evening they welcome League Two opposition in Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round. Mauricio Pochettino is expected to name a much-changed side against the Dons with a number of senior players set to be rested.
We are expecting to hear official confirmation of the team news at 6.45pm. You can follow that, and so much more pre-match build-up, plus the live coverage of the game from Stamford Bridge, right here on football.london.
Phew.
The keeper is up and Maatsen drives forward feeds Enzo but he puts it wide.
96 minutes on the clock and Wimbledon almost stumble their way through and earn a corner.
More good football as Chelsea play through Wimbledon's press and Gallagher fires over from in the box.
No risks here.
Chelsea work it up and Cucurella delivers another decent cross into the box that is sent out for a corner.
The Dons look to break again but Sanchez is able to gather a soft shot. Chelsea may keep a few more bodies back now as the visitors leave plenty of players in forward positions.
Maatsen shoots from range to earn the corner this time.
Big round of applause for Madueke who is replaced by Caicedo.
Gusto bursts upfield with the ball before providing Gallagher with the ball and he forces another save.
Sasu and Bugiel enter the play for Wimbledon, Neufville and Pell head off.
They're urging their side on for a third as Madueke sees his shot saved.
2-1 Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez takes advantage after Maatsen shuts down a clearance and puts the ball in the net with Bass out of his goal.
Fernandez takes a shot from miles out and forces a good save before heading to take the resultant corner. Nothing comes of it.
Burstow and Colwill off, Enzo Fernandez and Gusto on.
Colwill was briefly down but is back to his feet as the Blues defend a corner.
Looks like Enzo and Gusto are coming on.
Wimbledon have a chance. Disasi throws his body in front of it before punching the air when he got to his feet.
Madueke threatens inside the opposition box once again but can't find the gap this time and his cross is blocked and heads out for a corner.
Maatsen plays short to Gallagher who finds Burstow whose cross is saved by Bass.
Al-Hamadi and Brown come on for Pearce and Davison.
The calls of shoot come as the ball arrives at the feet of Gallagher. Well-saved.
Wimbledon look to break but Ugochukwu tracks the run through the halves and makes a very clean tackle to come away with the ball.
A shot goes wide and they are furious to not be awarded a corner.
Jackson making sure to test the keeper early doors as he comes in of the left to fire a shot at Bass to win a corner.
Jackson replaces Moreira as Chelsea kick things off.
As it's half-time we thought we would remind you that Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Cole Palmer from Manchester City.
football.london understands the Blues have agreed a £45million deal with the champions for the 21-year-old, who is expected to have a medical at Cobham ahead of a long-term move.
All squad and Chelsea will know they need to do more.
Four minutes added and the home support have found their voice.
Madueke bags it.
Madueke wins it and stands over it.
The Dons break through Davison as he looks to get in behind Disasi, Colwill clears up and puts out for a corner.
Chelsea have everyone back and there's some tussling in the box so the kick is delayed. Dons win the header but it's not dangerous and Sanchez collects.