Lincoln City were beaten 2-1 in the third round of the Carabao Cup by Premier League giants Chelsea in an outstanding performance to be proud of.
Lincoln went into the massive clash on fine form having lost just once all season.
Head-Coach Michael Skubala made five changes to the side that overcame Luton Town just three days prior to the third round Carabao Cup tie.
It was an uncharacteristic back five that started the game with Ryley Towler, Lewis Montsma and Tom Hamer all returning to the Imps’ back line.
Club World Cup champions Chelsea made eight changes to the side that disappointed against Manchester United, among them was Alejandro Garnacho as the £40million signing made his first start for the Blues.
Ahead of the game, Skubala said: “We have to start well” and his side certainly did just that, hitting the post inside two minutes and leading at half-time after a fantastic first 45.
An outstanding first 45:
A flurry of long throws launched in by Hamer nearly resulted in the dream start for Lincoln City with just two minutes on the clock. Chelsea failed to properly clear their lines and Lewis Montsma found space on the right-hand side in the box.
He struck the ball purely and had Filip Jorgensen well beat but his effort rattled off the inside of the post.
Lincoln kept the pressure up, earning a handful of set-pieces deep in the Chelsea half. But the Blues threatened with their first shot in the 19th minute – Enzo Fernandez played a tidy lofted pass to Jamie Gittens, but his shot flew just over both Zach Jeacock and the crossbar.
Sonny Bradley rose high and nearly headed home his fourth of the season to break the deadlock for Lincoln just shy of the half hour mark, his effort flying inches wide of the goal.
A corner just two minutes later again resulted in an even bigger opportunity for the home side. Bradley was once again involved as Jorgensen’s missed punch presented him with another goal-scoring chance, but the 34-year-old once again couldn’t convert.
The underdogs Lincoln scored in the 42nd minute to deservedly lead the tie. A heroic interception from Ivan Varfolomeev presented Rob Street with a fantastic chance that he took with both hands, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right corner.
A quick turn-around:
Lincoln were stunned just two minutes into the second half as Chelsea equalised courtesy of a Tyrique George thunderbolt. The 19-year-old received the bouncing ball just outside the box and impressively struck the ball into the top right corner leaving Jeacock well beat.
Enzo Maresca’s side fully turned the game on its head in the 50th minute as Facundo Buonanotte netted to make it 2-1. The Argentinian squeezed his way into the Lincoln box and slotted the ball into the net to cancel out the Imps’ first half lead.
A near instant reply from the Imps arrived in the 54th minute, Bradley won a header in the box, and it fell kindly for Freddie Draper. The striker’s effort wasn’t strong enough to nestle into the back of the net, and it was cleared away to safety by Gittens on the line.
More pressure was applied by Skubala’s side as the game went on, Street did well on the right-hand side and crossed in an inviting ball that was cleared from danger. Draper then picked up the ball and muscled his way through two Chelsea players, but his eventual shot flashed just wide.
Jeacock kept his side in the tie with just under ten minutes of normal time left on the clock when he impressively blocked Estevao’s strike with his outstretched leg.
The game got away from City in the closing stages as the Imps’ failed to create a noteworthy late chance, with the experience and quality of Chelsea showing through.
FT: Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea
Skubala’s side produced a performance to be proud of as they were just narrowly beaten 2-1 by the Champions league side.
Next up for the Imps is a trip to Peterborough this weekend as they look to continue their good form in League One.