Despite their recent struggles, Chelsea entered the tie as clear favorites, given their deep squad under Enzo Maresca and a strong track record of avoiding early cup exits. The Blues have reached the Carabao Cup final twice in the past four seasons, most recently in 2023-24, and their ambitions are firmly set on returning to Wembley. However, Lincoln City, currently flying high in League One and sitting just two points off the top, posed a potential banana skin, having reached the fourth round of the competition only twice before in their history.
The match began with Lincoln showing early intent, pressing Chelsea and creating chaos in the visitor’s box with set-pieces and aggressive play. Notable early moments included a missed header by Rob Street and a yellow card for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos for a foul in the 22nd minute. Chelsea gradually settled, with Enzo Fernandez picking out Jamie Gittens for a close chance, but the winger failed to convert. Despite Lincoln’s pressure and a strong defensive display, Chelsea’s quality began to show as they controlled possession—boasting 72% of the ball by the 24th minute, according to ESPN’s live stats.
Both teams had their moments: Lincoln threatened through set-pieces and direct play, while Chelsea tested the hosts with intricate passing and attacking runs from the likes of Garnacho and Buonanotte. The absence of VAR at this stage meant contentious penalty appeals, such as Draper’s tumble in the box, went unreviewed. Tactical discipline was evident, with both sides picking up cautions and making key defensive interventions.
For fans looking to follow the action, broadcast options were plentiful: in the UK, the match was available via Sky Sports+ and radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; in the United States, viewers could tune in on Paramount+ or Amazon Prime Video; and in Canada, coverage was provided by DAZN and Prime Video. A comprehensive list of international broadcasters could be found on major sports platforms.
Looking ahead, Chelsea’s schedule remains packed. They return to Premier League action against Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge this weekend before hosting Benfica in their second Champions League group match—an encounter that sees José Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge as the new Benfica manager. Meanwhile, Lincoln City will look to channel the momentum from their impressive League One campaign.
For ongoing updates, tactical breakdowns, and in-depth stats, follow Chelsea FC’s official Twitter and stay tuned to Standard Sport’s live match coverage for expert insights and real-time commentary throughout the Carabao Cup journey.