Enzo Maresca let out a sigh of relief as the final whistle echoed through the LNER Stadium, sealing Chelsea’s hard-fought victory over Lincoln City in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The 45-year-old manager had warned his squad before the match that the night could prove challenging against the League One side, and his prediction unfolded with unnerving accuracy.
The Blues were rocked early when Lincoln’s Lewis Montsma struck the post from close range, a warning shot that set the tone for a gritty first half. Chelsea’s fragility was exposed just before the break when Rob Street pounced on a misplaced pass from Enzo Fernandez to Trevoh Chalobah, firing Lincoln into a deserved lead. As the teams trudged off at half-time, the frustration was palpable, and Maresca’s stern warning loomed large.
In the dressing room, Maresca didn’t hold back. “Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely,” he later admitted with a wry laugh when asked if he’d unleashed his frustration on his players. The Italian’s words clearly struck a chord, as Chelsea emerged for the second half with renewed fire. No substitutions were made, but the same players returned with a point to prove.
The response was immediate. Just three minutes into the second half, Tyrique George unleashed a stunning long-range strike to level the score, igniting hope among the traveling Chelsea fans. The momentum shifted, and soon after, loanee Facundo Buonanotte sealed the comeback with a clinical close-range finish. The Blues held firm, ensuring there would be no repeat of Grimsby Town’s shock upset over Manchester United, a side that had defeated Chelsea in the Premier League just days earlier.
Maresca later reflected on the tie, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by lower-league opposition. “We prepared for the game exactly as it unfolded in the first half,” he told football.london. “Sometimes it’s not just about desire—it’s about winning second balls, about experience. Players like Jamie Gittens and Jorrel, they’ve never faced League One teams or games like this. You have to play differently, with more grit.”
Despite the early scare, Maresca sees the match as a valuable lesson for his young squad. “If we face another League One or League Two side away in the next round, tonight’s experience will make us better prepared,” he said. “We need these moments. Our squad is young, and many haven’t played in games like this. Tonight was tough, but it was good because we won.”
Chelsea’s escape from Lincoln City’s grasp secures their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but it was Maresca’s half-time fury that proved the catalyst for their turnaround. The Blues march on, battle-hardened and ready for whatever challenge comes next.