Chelsea, Everton survive League Cup scares, but Sheffield United crash out

LONDON – Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino remained positive despite a “tough” win, as the Blues and fellow English Premier League side Everton narrowly avoided humiliating League Cup second-round exits against fourth-tier opposition on Wednesday.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea trailed against minnows Wimbledon before recovering to win 2-1 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s first goal for the club.

Struggling Everton, playing away, came from behind in the closing stages to beat Doncaster also by the same score.

Pochettino made seven changes to the side who beat Luton Town 3-0 for his first win as Chelsea boss last Friday. Ian Maatsen, Lesley Ugochukwu and Mason Burstow made their first starts, while Diego Moreira was handed his debut.

“It was tough but we really enjoyed it,” said the Argentinian, whose side will host Brighton & Hove Albion next.

“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. We were competitive and we deserve to be in the next round.

“There were many players who made their debut here at Stamford Bridge. There are many positive things.”

The victory was marred by an issue to centre-back Levi Colwill, but Pochettino added: “He’s not injured, was only a kick. It’s not a big issue, just a small problem.”

The Blues had to survive a scare as Wimbledon struck against their youthful side in the 19th minute.

Chelsea goalkeeper 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 a foul by Alex Pearce.

Fernandez added more composure to Chelsea’s midfield after coming off the bench and the Argentinian World Cup winner put his side ahead in the 72nd minute.

Taking advantage of a mix-up in the Wimbledon defence, he slotted home to finally get on the scoresheet after arriving from Benfica for £106 million (S$182 million) in January.

Elsewhere, 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 League Two.

Toffees boss Sean Dyche made just four changes in a bid to avoid a shock result at the Eco-Power Stadium.

But his side laboured throughout a dismal first-half performance and fell behind in the 44th minute when Joe Ironside punished sloppy defending to head Tommy Rowe’s cross past Jordan Pickford.

Dyche sent on Beto, signed from Udinese for £26 million a day earlier, for his debut at the start of the second half.

The Portuguese striker scored 21 Italian 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 pass in the 73rd minute, he got behind the Doncaster defence and guided a clinical finish into the far corner for Everton’s first goal this season.

Arnaut Danjuma then spared their blushes with a composed strike from the edge of the area in the 88th minute.

“We want to be effective in our play, and I thought tonight, particularly in the second half, we were. We used Beto for his strengths and what he can do,” said Dyche, who will face a difficult test against Aston Villa next.

“There was a more assured, measured look about us in the second half as the game went on.”

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.

After a drab 90 minutes ended goal-less, Lincoln goalkeeper Lukas Jensen saved spot kicks from Louie Marsh and Benie Traore to hand the Blades a fourth successive defeat.

In the night’s lopsided tie, Championship side Blackburn thrashed fourth-tier Harrogate 8-0.
AFP, REUTERS