Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Mediocre Chelsea survive brave Lincoln's surges

Even though they probably didn't expect it, Chelsea's fans will remember the EFL Cup third-round clash against the third-tier side, Lincoln City, as their lads played the most terrible first half since Enzo Maresca sat on their bench.

The Blues were completely outplayed by the brave Imps and looked like minnows facing a much stronger opponent. They were 1-0 down at the break, and could be happy that Rob Street was the only Lincoln player to find the net, as the home team hit the post and had several decent chances, while Chelsea didn't have a single shot on target?!

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Nevertheless, after the break, the London side woke up and completely turned the tables following a two-minute blitzkrieg, as Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte netted in the 48th and 50th minutes.

Those two goals were enough for a 2-1 triumph, but no one around Chelsea could be satisfied, given that the team showed numerous flaws, which stronger sides than Lincoln would know how to punish.

After a three-game winless streak, Chelsea probably hoped for an easy job against a third-tier side Lincoln. More than 10,000 people came to LNER Stadium to see the official Club World Champions, but they didn't get what they had expected.

As if the lads in red and white were a Premier League side, they absolutely dismantled Chelsea in the first half! Even though Enzo Maresca's men had 78% of possession, the popular Imps had as many as nine shots on goal, while their rivals had three, none on target!

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From the first referee's whistle, the home crew started pressing the uninspired rivals, often threatening from set pieces. Only 77 seconds into the game, Lewis Montsma hit the post after a melee in the visitors' box, while Chelsea awaited their first attempt until the 19th minute!

As if Lincoln were Arsenal with Nicolas Jover on their bench, they caused panic in the Blues' ranks every time they sent the ball into the London side's box.

The inevitable happened three minutes before the break, when Enzo Fernandez sent a poor pass for Trevoh Chalobah near Chelsea's box, Ivan Varfolomeev stole the ball, and the Imps' striker Rob Street didn't miss a chance to outsmart Filip Jorgensen and secure his team's lead at the break!

Once the second half started, probably everyone wondered if the Blues woke up, and they received the positive answer already in the opening five minutes! Chelsea's first attack after the break in the 48th minute brought them a leveller thanks to Tyrique George's long-range screamer and only two minutes later, the EPL side's newcomer Facundo Buonanotte completed his team's comeback - 2-1!

Still, although the Blues controlled the game, Lincoln managed to threaten occasionally, like they did in the 68th minute when Freddie Draper shot narrowly wide of Jorgensen's right post from inside the area. In those moments, Pedro Neto, who had replaced Jamie Gittens was the most active visitors' player, injecting a necessary energy into Chelsea's ranks. Nine minutes before the end, the Portuguese set up a perfect chance for Buonanotte, but Lincoln's keeper Zach Jeacock prevented the Argentinian from completing a brace.

That turned out to be the ultimate notable moment in the game in which the Blues triumphed and advanced to the next round, but showed numerous weaknesses and shortcomings, had major problems with the rivals' pressing, and seriously struggled when defending set pieces.

EFL CUP - ROUND 3

Tuesday

Barnsley - Brighton 0-6 (0-3)

/Gomez 9, 21, 33, 68, Howell 87, Ayari 89/

Burnley - Cardiff 1-2 (0-2)

/Flemming 56 - Colwill 30, Robinson 35/

Fulham - Cambridge 1-0 (0-0)

/Smith Rowe 66/

Lincoln City - Chelsea 1-2 (1-0)

/Street 42 - George 48, Buonanotte 50/

Wigan - Wycombe 0-2 (0-1)

/Boyd-Munce 32, McNeilly 62/

Wolverhampton - Everton 2-0 (1-0)

/Munetsi 29, Arokodare 88/

Wrexham - Reading 2-0 (0-0)

/Broadhead 57, Smith 70/

Liverpool - Southampton IN PROGRESS

Wednesday

21.45: (19.0) Huddersfield (8.50) Man.City (1.13)

21.45: (1.10) Newcastle (11.0) Bradford (18.0)

21.45: (1.15) Tottenham (7.75) Doncaster (19.0)

22.00: (18.0) Port Vale (11.0) Arsenal (1.10)

***odds are subject to change***