Lincoln 1, Chelsea 2

City bowed out of the Carabao Cup after pushing World Champions Chelsea all the way at the LNER Stadium last night. 

A dominant first half from City was capped off by cool finish by Rob Street sending the Imps into the break ahead but the Premier League side wasted no time in the second period scoring two goals in five minutes to seal a 2-1 win. 

Michael Skubala made five changes to the side who were  3-1 victors over Luton Town last Saturday as Ivan Varfolomeev returned to the starting 11 with Zach Jeacock getting the nod between the sticks.

The first chance of the game fell to City within two minutes as the ball fell kindly to Lewis Montsma inside the Chelsea area with just the keeper to beat and he unleashed the shot only to be denied by the woodwork.

The visitors' first real chance of the game came after 19 minutes when Enzo Fernandez sent a looping ball into the Imps’ area which was met by Jamie Gittens who couldn’t keep his effort within the parameters of Jeacock’s net.

At the half hour mark Ivan Varfolomeev swung a corner into the six-yard box where Sonny Bradley rose highest and connected with the ball but could only guide his header wide of Jorgensen’s goal.

The deadlock was broken 41 minutes in when Ivan Varfolomeev picked up a loose ball by Enzo Fernandez deep in the Chelsea half before slipping Rob Street in who calmly slotted his effort past the visitors' goalkeeper.

Half Time: Imps 1 Chelsea 0

Just three minutes after the break Gittens found room down City’s right-hand side before pulling it back to Tyrique George whose first time half-volley effort sailed in from outside the area equalises for Chelsea.

Two minutes after George’s equaliser Chelsea found another as Buonanotte wriggled free in the Imps’ box before sliding an effort under Jeacock to put the visitors ahead.

After 68 minutes City found space down the right-hand side with Darikwa who whipped a ball into the danger area, finding Conor McGrandles who narrowly missed the target.

Chelsea broke fast with less than 10 minutes to go through Pedro Neto who advanced past the Imps’ backline before playing Buonanotte through on goal who was denied Chelsea’s third goal by some great goalkeeping by Jeacock.

Full Time: Imps 1 Chelsea 2

Imps: Jeacock, Darikwa, Montsma (Okoronkwo 85’), Towler, McGrandles, Bradley, Street (Obikwu 71’), House (Hackett 71’), Hamer, Varfolomeev (Bayliss 71’), Draper (Collins 71’)

Unused Subs: Wickens, Reach, Thorn, Ring

Chelsea: Jorgensen, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Andrey Santos, Enzo (Cucurella 70’), Garnacho (Estevao 59’), Buonanotte (Walsh 94’), Gittens (Neto 70’), George (Mhueka 70’)

Unused Subs: Slonina, James, Caicedo, Harrison

Attendance: 10,214

Picture: Vaughan Photography

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