Chelsea found themselves a goal down at halftime, but the Premier League Blues quickly overturned their deficit after the restart to beat League One side Lincoln City 2-1 at LNER Stadium in the 3rd round of the League Cup on Tuesday.
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Enzo Maresca’s side had nearly all of the ball in the first half (78 percent of possession) but Chelsea were out-shot by the third-division side 9-3 (1.11-0.37 xG), and the Imps took the lead thanks to a calamitous pass from Enzo Fernandez in the 42nd minute. For some unknown reason, Fernandez clipped a weak pass from one corner of his own penalty area to the other and Ivan Varfolomeyev was all over it, heading it down to Robert Street just inside the area. Street slotted home far post and Lincoln went into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.
But Chelsea took just two minutes (and one second) of the second half to equalize. The ball ping-ponged around just outside Lincoln’s penalty area and eventually fell to Tyrique George, who uncorked a right-footed laser that found the inside of the far post. A minute and 18 seconds later, and Chelsea were in front as Facundo Buonanotte played a quick give-and-go with George, weaved his way through a sea of defenders and bagged his first goal for the club.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea live updates - by Andy Edwards
Lincoln City vs Chelsea live score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Robert Street (41'), Tyrique George (48'), Facundo Buonanotte (50')
GOAL! Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea: Buonanotte quickly puts the visitors in front (50')
GOAL! Lincoln City 1-1 Chelsea: George brings the Blues level after the restart (48')
UNSTOPPABLE! 💥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 23, 2025
Tyrique George won’t score many cleaner than that 👏 pic.twitter.com/eAq8qmtkFf
GOAL! Lincoln City 1-0 Chelsea: Street gives the home side a deserved lead (42')
LINCOLN CITY LEAD AGAINST CHELSEA! 😳
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 23, 2025
Enzo Fernandez gifts the hosts possession and they make Enzo Maresca's side pay ⚽ pic.twitter.com/nH2BnZZdRY
Chelsea starting lineup
Jorgensen - Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato - Fernandez, Santos, Buonanotte - Gittens, Garnacho, George
Lincoln City starting lineup
Jeacock - Darikwa, Montsma, Bradley, Hamer - Towler, McGrandles, Vafrolomeev - Street, Draper, House
How to watch Lincoln City vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:45pm ET Tuesday
Venue: LNER Stadium — Lincoln
TV Channel/ Streaming: Stream on Paramount Plus
Lincoln are led by captain Tendayi Darikwa and well-traveled Irish international James Collins, who has four goals and an assist this season. They also boast a pair of Premier League loanees Francis Okoronkwo (Everton) and Dexter Lembikisa (Wolves).
Chelsea, perhaps quietly, are winless in three following a draw with Brentford, Champions League loss at Bayern Munich, and 10-man set back at Manchester United on Saturday. Enzo Maresca’s Blues are looking claim the League Cup for the first time since a London derby defeat of Spurs in 2015. Chelsea have since lost the final three times since then, and want a sixth tournament win.
Lincoln City team news, focus
No known injuries.
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Liam Delap (thigh), Dario Essugo (thigh), Romeo Lavia (undisclosed), Levi Colwill (torn ACL - MORE), Benoit Badiashile (knock), Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Cole Palmer (groin)
Lincoln City vs Chelsea prediction
Lincoln City last reached the fourth round of the League Cup in 2022-23 and only once have gone further in either this tournament or the FA Cup, going to the 2016-17 FA Cup quarters. They were hammered by Arsenal at that stage after knocking off Burnley, Brighton, Ipswich Town, Oldham Athletic, and Altrincham to get there. Chelsea are above that level, even with some injuries and clearly looking to their depth on Tuesday. Lincoln City 1-3 Chelsea.
