Chelsea narrowly escaped an embarrassing exit in the third round of the Carabao Cup, clawing their way back from a goal down to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over League One side Lincoln City. Despite dominating possession from the outset, the Blues were outplayed in a lackluster first half, with Lincoln creating the better chances and deservedly taking the lead. However, a tactical masterstroke by head coach Enzo Maresca at halftime turned the tide, sparking a second-half resurgence that saw Chelsea overturn the deficit and advance.
The first half was a wake-up call for Chelsea. While they controlled the ball, their play lacked incision, and Lincoln capitalized with sharper attacking intent, carving out the more dangerous opportunities. By contrast, Chelsea managed just one big chance in the opening 45 minutes, looking disjointed and vulnerable against their lower-league opponents.
Everything changed after the break. Within five minutes of the restart, Chelsea had flipped the game on its head. Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte struck in quick succession, restoring parity and then seizing the lead by the 50th minute. The Blues’ attacking output surged, with four big chances created in the second half alone, showcasing a newfound intensity and purpose.
So, what was the magic formula behind this dramatic turnaround? According to Maresca, it all boiled down to a single tactical tweak at the back—specifically, the repositioning of young defender Jorrel Hato. “In the second half, I think we were much better,” the Italian tactician revealed post-match. “At halftime, we changed something tactically that I think has been important. Jorrel was playing in a different position compared to the first half. The structure and shape of the team between the first half and the second half was completely different, and that probably helped a little bit.”
Hato, the 19-year-old summer signing from Ajax, has been adapting to Maresca’s system, which often sees full-backs invert into midfield roles. In only his third appearance and second start for Chelsea, Hato showed his versatility, delivering a commanding defensive display with eight clearances while contributing offensively with five passes into the final third. His adjustment to a new role in the second half proved pivotal, giving Chelsea the platform to dominate and turn the game around.
Maresca’s ability to adapt under pressure highlights his growing influence at Stamford Bridge, but the match exposed areas for improvement as Chelsea nearly paid the price for a sluggish start. With the fourth-round draw set for Wednesday night, the Blues now turn their attention to a Premier League clash against Brighton at home this weekend, where they’ll aim to carry forward their second-half momentum.