Tyrique George stars as Chelsea beat Lincoln City 2-1

• Chelsea came from behind to secure a vital 2-1 win over League One side Lincoln City in the EFL Carabao Cup on Tuesday night
• Tyrique George helped the Blues recover from a shaky start by leveling the scores in the 48th minute and then assisting Facundo Buonanotte’s winning goal two minutes later

On Tuesday, Chelsea came from behind to secure a vital 2-1 win over League One side Lincoln City in the EFL Carabao Cup. Teenage sensation Tyrique George helped the Blues recover from a shaky start by leveling the scores in the 48th minute and then assisting Facundo Buonanotte’s winning goal two minutes later.

Lincoln City, who are third in League One standings, continued to cause chaos in Chelsea’s box as the clock ticked on but Rob Streets’s 42nd minute opener turned out to be their only goal of the match.

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The League One side gave goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who was playing in the absence of the suspended Robert Sanchez, a horrid time dealing with long balls and long throw-ins into the box. Lincoln are so lethal in the air and scored from 30 set-pieces last season, which explains their style of play against Enzo Maresca’s side.

However, the goal that gave them the lead in the first half of the Carabao Cup match was as a result if an error by Enzo Fernandez. The Argentine’s poor long ball across the back was intercepted by Ivan Varfolomeev before Street beat Jorgensen from close range.

Speaking after the match, Blues manager Enzo Maresca said they had been prepared for Lincoln City’s long-ball style of play.

“We knew already, we were aware, the game that we expect in terms of long balls, duels, throw‑ins, every time inside the box. I know that some of [my players], they didn’t play this kind of game [before]. I asked today, how many of them had played against League One teams. Then you know you need to play a different kind of game.” Maresca is quoted by The Guardian.

Tyrique George Stars In Carabao Cup Win

Maresca made eight changes from the squad that lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday. Jorgensen, the goalkeeper who came in after Robert Sanchez was sent off inside four minutes at Old Trafford, started between the posts. Summer signing Alejandro Garnacho was handed his first start in Lincolnshire but struggled to show his worth against the League One side.

Chelsea, who are the Club World Cup champions, were totally outclassed by Lincoln City in the first half. Lincoln found their opener in the 42nd minute of the game. The goal came from their ninth shot on target, compared to Chelsea’s two.

Maresca admitted after the game that he had to deliver some harsh words to his players at half-time to motivate them to turn the game around in the second half. The Blues needed victory in the match considering they had gone winless in their previous three games.

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Tyrique George, who is a graduate of the Blues youth academy, played a vital role in the comeback win on Tuesday evening. The 19-year-old hit a superb half-volley in the 48th minute to level the scores before passing the ball to Buonanotte, who completed the turnaround.

George was set to leave Chelsea in the summer as he wanted regular playing time. However, his move collapsed on deadline day and he had to remain at Stamford Bridge and fight for a spot in the team that is full of young players.