Chelsea 2-1 AFC Wimbledon: Madueke & Enzo ensure Blues progress to avoid Carabao Cup upset

Chelsea came from behind against AFC Wimbledon to progress into the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side clinched a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge after a first half penalty from Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez’s second half strike cancelled out James Tilley’s 19th minute penalty.

Chelsea went behind in the 19th minute after Robert Sanchez was adjudged to have made a foul in the penalty area despite replays suggesting he punched the ball away from danger.

James Tilley stepped up and made no mistake to put the visitors into a shock, but deserved, lead in west London.

Pochettino’s side were pushing but the quality on display was lacking. Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke were their best players of the half, and Madueke was the difference to the hosts finding a leveller in first half stoppage time.

Madueke’s direct run into the box saw him brought down and he sent Alex Bass the wrong way to level the cup tie.

Pochettino had seen enough at the interval and brought on Nicolas Jackson for Diego Moreira, who struggled in the first half, in a bid to help the Blues secure their progress into the third round.

Both sides were pushing to get themselves in front as the second half progressed. Jackson’s substitution was evident to see, Chelsea looked much more dangerous following his introduction.

Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez were called upon to replace Levi Colwill and Mason Burstow with over 25 minutes left in the tie for the Blues to find a winner in normal time.

Enzo tried his luck from distance after a flurry of Wimbledon pressure, but Bass ensured it remained all square with a fine save.

With 18 minutes left to play, Bass gifted Chelsea the advantage. Fernandez slotted into an empty net from the edge of the area, his first goal since joining the club back in January from Benfica, after Ian Maatsen closed down the goalkeeper’s clearance.

Bass made up for his error by making a superb save moments later to ensure Madueke didn’t net his second to double Chelsea’s advantage.

Recent new arrival Moises Caicedo was brought on for the final stages of the tie as he replaced goalscorer Madueke to try to see out the tie.

Al-Hamadi almost levelled in the 97th minute for the visitors but Axel Disasi ensured the game didn’t go to penalties.

Chelsea held out to claim a 2-1 win in west London and will learn their third round fate on Wednesday night.