Teenager Tyrique George scored and set up another to inspire Chelsea as they avoided a Carabao Cup upset at League One Lincoln City.
2025/2026 League Cup
1-2
Match Report
Tyrique George scored one and set up another in the space of two second-half minutes as Chelsea came from behind to beat Lincoln City 2-1 in the EFL Cup.
A dismal first-half display by the Blues on Tuesday saw them fail to generate a shot on target, with Lincoln's impressive performance rewarded when Rob Street put them ahead in the 42nd minute.
The hosts hit the post in the second minute at LNER Stadium, with Lewis Montsma frustrated by the woodwork.
But Lincoln deservedly hit the front when Ivan Varfolomieiev pounced on a poor Chelsea free-kick, with Street finishing coolly.
Chelsea came out firing after the restart, though, with George drilling home from the edge of the box after latching onto a loose ball.
Just over two minutes had passed before George turned provider, showing quick feet to find Facundo Buonanotte, who brilliantly dribbled his way through a crowd of players and prodded in for his first Chelsea goal.
Unconvincing goalkeeping from Filip Jorgensen almost gifted Lincoln an equaliser, before Freddie Draper thumped wide, but the League One team's cup run ultimately came to an end.
Data Debrief: Chelsea see off another minnow
Chelsea have now progressed through 26 of their last 27 EFL Cup ties against lower league opposition, including each of their last 18, since a penalty defeat to Burnley in the 2008-09 fourth round, when the Clarets were in the Championship.
They did it the hard way at times, though, and Enzo Maresca will have been far from impressed with his team's first-half performance, as Chelsea posted just 0.37 expected goals (xG) to Lincoln's 1.11.
In their first meeting against the Blues since 1910-11, the Imps did themselves proud, but Chelsea just had too much quality in the second half, with the visitors finishing with 2.15 xG, showing how much they upped their level after the break.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
2' Lewis Montsma hits the woodwork from the right side of the box
3' Delay in match because of an injury Wesley Fofana
9' Draper's shot from the right side of the box is close but misses to the right
20' Gittens fires a shot high over the bar from close range
30' Bradley's header from the centre of the box is close but misses to the right
33' Huge scare for Chelsea following Lincoln City's corner but the ball is cleared
42' GOAL! Blues make a mistake & Street puts hosts in lead! Lincoln City 1-0 Chelsea
48' GOAL! George equalizes as he fires a shot into corner! Lincoln City 1-1 Chelsea
50' GOAL! Facundo Buonanotte scores his first in Blue! Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea
62' Facundo Buonanotte's header from the centre of the box is wide
77' Pedro Neto's left footed shot from outside the box is just wide
83' Buonanotte's right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved
90' Okoronkwo's shot is high over the bar
Line-ups
Lincoln City XI: Tendayi Darikwa, Sonny Bradley, Conor McGrandles, Ben House, Tom Hamer, Lewis Montsma, Zach Jeacock, Ryley Towler, Robert Street, Ivan Varfolomeev, Freddie Draper
Subs: James Collins, Adam Reach, Reeco Hackett, Tom Bayliss, George Wickens, Erik Ring, Francis Okoronkwo, Oscar Thorn, Justin Obikwu
Chelsea XI: Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Jørgensen, Enzo, Gusto, Garnacho, Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, Facundo Buonanotte, Tyrique George
Subs: Cucurella, Ollie Harrison, Reece James, Pedro Neto, Gabriel Slonina, Caicedo, Estêvão, Shumaira Mheuka, Reggie Walsh