- Thursday, 26 March 2026
Chelsea, Everton survive League Cup scares
London, Sep.1: Chelsea and Everton narrowly avoided humiliating League Cup exits against fourth tier opposition as they scraped into the third round on Wednesday.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea trailed against minnows AFC Wimbledon before recovering to win 2-1 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s first goal for the club.
Struggling Everton came from behind in the closing stages to beat Doncaster 2-1.
Sheffield United were not as fortunate as their Premier League counterparts, the Blades crashing out against third tier Lincoln on penalties.
Wimbledon struck against Chelsea’s youthful side in the 19th minute.
Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez collided with Harry Pell as he came off his line in a failed attempt to collect a cross, conceding a penalty that James Tilley calmly stroked home.
Chelsea equalised on the stroke of half-time when Noni Madueke netted from the spot after the winger was fouled by Alex Pearce.
Fernandez added more composure to Chelsea’s midfield after coming off the bench and the Argentine World Cup winner put his side ahead in
the 72nd minute.
Taking advantage of a mix-up in the Wimbledon defence, Fernandez slotted home to finally get on the scoresheet after arriving from Benfica for £106 million in January.
“It was tough but we really enjoyed it,” said Pochettino, whose side will host Brighton in the third round.
“It is always difficult to play against a team like this. That is the beauty of the cups. I’m happy with the
performance overall.”
Beto revives Everton
After three successive defeats to start the league season, Everton were pushed to the brink of more misery by a Doncaster side sitting bottom of fourth tier League Two.
Everton fell behind in the 44th minute when Joe Ironside punished sloppy defending to head Tommy Rowe’s cross past Jordan Pickford.
Dyche sent on Portuguese striker Beto, signed from Udinese for £30 million this week, for his debut at the start of the second half.
Beto scored 21 Serie A goals in two seasons with Udinese and the 25-year-old quickly put his predatory instincts on display in
a Toffees shirt.
Sprinting onto Abdoulaye Doucoure’s hopeful pass forward in the 73rd minute, Beto got behind the Doncaster defence and guided a clinical finish into the far corner for Everton’s first goal this season.
Arnaut Danjuma’s composed strike from the edge of the area in the 88th minute set up a third round
tie at Aston Villa.
Sheffield United’s miserable start to the season hit a new low with a 3-2 penalty shoot-out loss to third tier Lincoln at Bramall Lane.
Burnley won 1-0 at fellow top-flight side Nottingham Forest thanks to Zeki Amdouni’s close-range volley in second half stoppage-time.
The pick of the third round ties sees treble winners Manchester City travel to last season’s runners-up Newcastle.
Holders Manchester United host Crystal Palace, while Liverpool face Leicester at Anfield and Arsenal travel to Brentford. (AFP)
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