Chelsea v AFC Wimbledon Live Commentary & Result, 30/08/2023, League Cup

That is all from this EFL Cup second-round clash between Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon. Until next time, goodbye!

Jackson's Wimbledon will leave west London proud of their efforts before they prepare to visit Newport County for their fourth-tier fixture on Saturday. Chelsea host Nottingham Forest on the same day as they return to Premier League action.

Chelsea progress to the third round of the EFL Cup after a 2-1 win over League Two Wimbledon, who offered the hosts at Stamford Bridge a brief scare. Tilley's 19th-minute penalty, awarded for a Sanchez foul on Pell, had Pochettino's side on the ropes before Madueke won and converted a spot-kick on the stroke of half-time. The Wombles battled hard in the second half but were ultimately undone by a defensive mix-up between Bass and Lewis, as Fernandez curled into an empty net to secure victory.

90' + 8' FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 2-1 AFC WIMBLEDON

90' + 7' Al-Hamadi almost beats Disasi inside the area but the centre-back recovers to clear behind for a corner, which comes to nothing. Down the other end, Bass is out of his goal after going up for the set-piece but Chelsea fail to breach the open goal.

90' + 6' The Wimbledon supporters continue to serenade their battling side at Stamford Bridge. Just over a minute remains for Jackson's side, who have not looked like troubling Sanchez in the closing stages.

90' + 5' HOW HAS HE MISSED! A free-flowing Chelsea move sees Caicedo find Fernandez, who rolls out to the left for Cucurella. The left-back cuts inside for Gallagher before the Blues captain takes a touch and smashes over from close range with just Bass to beat.

90' + 3' Fernandez stalls in possession before offloading to Cucurella, whose low cross is turned behind by Brown for a corner. Time is ticking down for Jackson's visitors.

90' + 2' Gusto surges into the Wombles area but his cross gets hooked away by Sasu at the near post. Chelsea's pressure does not relent, however, as Fernandez regains possession.

90' + 1' The fourth official indicates a minimum of seven additional minutes as Wimbledon search for an unlikely leveller.

R. McLean

J. Tilley

89' Scorer of the first goal, Tilley, makes way for McLean as Jackson rolls the dice one last time.

89' From a promising position out wide on the right, Tilley floats a cross towards the far post but Sanchez, as has been the case all game, towers above the opposition to claim.

I. Maatsen

Yellow Card

88' Al-Hamadi powers down the right flank before Maatsen pulls the Wimbledon substitute back. The Chelsea man is shown a yellow card.

87' ANOTHER GREAT SAVE! Fernandez has pulled all the strings since his introduction. The World Cup-winning Argentina midfielder dances around a few tackles before bending a right-footed effort towards the top-left corner, where Bass makes a stunning stop to parry behind.

86' CHANCE! Maatsen continues to excite the home supporters with a driving run inside from the right flank. The Chelsea winger curls towards the top-right corner but Bass pushes around the post before the resulting corner comes to nothing.

85' Williams curls the next corner in with real pace but the Chelsea defence do their job to clear at the near post. Bass then pumps a long ball towards the Blues area before Sanchez takes charge to collect.

84' Another chance comes for Wimbledon as Al-Hamadi battles his way to win a corner on the left-hand side off Caicedo. Williams whips in towards the far post but Sanchez is down on the floor. It looks like the set-piece will be retaken, after a few words and pushes are exchanged inside the area.

83' CLOSE! Cucurella and Jackson exchange passes before the latter finds Maatsen. The Chelsea winger curls towards the bottom-left corner but Bass punches away. A belated offside flag proves the chance redundant.

M. Caicedo

N. Madueke

81' Pochettino brings off the impressive Madueke for Caicedo. Another highly rated midfielder joins the fold for Chelsea.

80' Wimbledon have lost four of their five meetings with Premier League sides in all competitions, with the exception being a 4-2 win against West Ham in the 2018-19 FA Cup.

Omar Bugiel

H. Pell

78' Pell's removal is greeted with a chorus of jeers from the Chelsea supporters after he won the first-half penalty. Bugiel comes on in his place.

A. Sasu

J. Neufville

78' Wimbledon make another double change. The first of which sees Sasu on for Neufville.

76' CHANCE! Chelsea race away on the counter-attack from Wimbledon's corner at the other end. Madueke eventually makes it into the area from Jackson's offload, but sees his tame left-footed effort parried away by Bass.

75' The Wombles supporters erupt as a corner comes on the left flank after a deflection off Madueke. Williams curls in but Sanchez is again quickly off his line to claim.

74' Wimbledon will be heartbroken to concede in such a manner, with the impressive Bass and Lewis largely at fault for failing to communicate at the back. The game is now Chelsea's to see out.

E. Fernández

Goal

72' GOOOOOOOOOOALLLL! 2-1 CHELSEA! A horrible mix-up proves costly for Wimbledon. Bass races out to clear outside his area, smashing a clearance off a combination of Jackson and Lewis. A loose ball falls to Fernandez, who takes a touch before curling a right-footed attempt into an empty net with the Wombles goalkeeper stranded. The Blues are finally ahead!

72' Both Jackson and Pell are back on their feet, making their way to the touchline after some medical attention inside the Wombles area. The Wimbledon midfielder looks like he has come off struggling from that one.

70' SAVE! Bass has to dive at full stretch to tip a long-range Fernandez effort around the post. The World Cup winner goes over to take the corner, which is cleared inside the six-yard area by Wimbledon. Pell and Jackson stay down after the aerial duel.

69' Tilley drifts inside and drags a poor attempt wide of the target. That will never trouble Sanchez, who watches it trickle out for a goal-kick.

67' Jackson's Wombles are all over the place as Gallagher orchestrates play outside the area. They are offered a brief breather, though, as Ball is down and requires medical attention.

M. Gusto

L. Colwill

65' Colwill also makes way for Gusto, who impressed against Luton in the league last time out. The right-back has seized his opportunity in the absence of James.

E. Fernández

M. Burstow

65' Pochettino has seen enough and sends on Fernandez for Burstow.

64' Burstow has struggled up top for the Blues, making just 15 touches, winning one of his three duels and completing only nine passes. Pochettino will want more from his young striker.

63' Ugochukwu can do little to stop the ball from trickling out for a Wimbledon corner on the right. Tilley delivers the set-piece towards the six-yard area, where Sanchez claims to ease the pressure on the Chelsea backline.

62' Al-Hamadi also makes an instant impact from the bench as he wanders inside from the right of goal but sees his low left-footed strike blocked by Colwill. Down the other end, Bass is quickly off his line to nip in front of Jackson.

61' Only 30 minutes, plus additional time, remain before a penalty shoot-out is required at Stamford Bridge. Can the Wombles push Chelsea all the way?

60' Madueke continues to cause problems down the right-hand channel, where Chelsea win a corner. Maatsen goes short before Gallagher finds Burstow, whose driven cross is caught by the safe hands of Bass.

58' Neufville bursts into space down the left flank but the pass is too heavy and goes out for a Chelsea throw-in. Make no mistake, Jackson's visitors are well in this game.

Ali Al Hamadi

J. Davison

56' Davison also comes off and will be replaced up top by Al-Hamadi.

L. Brown

A. Pearce

56' Wimbledon are going to make a double change. The first of which sees Pearce, who gave away a first-half penalty, replaced by Brown.

56' SAVE! Chelsea look to play intricate football on the edge of the Wimbledon area. When a loose tackle finds Gallagher in space, the Blues captain curls towards the bottom-left corner, where Bass gets down well to save and hold onto the rebound.

55' Cucurella's low cross finds the imperious Lewis, who hooks a clearance high into the stand. The Wombles centre-back continues to enjoy a fine game.

53' As a top-flight side, Chelsea have won 14 of their last 15 games against sides in the fourth tier or lower in all competitions (D1), with their last defeat coming at Scarborough in October 1989.

H. Pell

Yellow Card

51' Pell joins Pearce in the referee's book after some needless dissent. The Wimbledon midfielder looked frustrated with his attempt moments ago.

51' CHANCE! Williams' left-sided corner is cleared to the edge of the area, where Neufville recycles with a cross. A loose ball falls to Pell, who volleys a right-footed attempt wide of goal. A decent chance for Wimbledon goes amiss.

51' Neufville breaks down the left flank and into the area before Disasi has to cut out a low cross and clear behind for a Wimbledon corner.

50' Cucurella and the Chelsea crowd fume after Ogundere looks to have turned behind for a corner. Perhaps influenced by the Wimbledon right-back going to ground, referee Harrington points for a goal-kick.

49' SAVE! Jackson cuts inside towards the area after an offload from Ugochukwu and unleashes a right-footed piledriver that Bass just about manages to turn away from goal.

48' Gallagher whips in the wide free-kick and, despite pressure from Jackson, Wimbledon manage to clear down their right.

A. Pearce

Yellow Card

47' Pearce goes into the referee's book for a poor challenge on Gallagher on the right-hand touchline.

47' Jackson scored more league goals (10 in 11 games) than Chelsea (9 in 11 games) between the start of April and the end of the last season. The striker scored his first Blues goal against Luton last Friday, can he add to his tally here?

46' Referee Harrington gets the second half under way!

N. Jackson

Diego Moreira

46' Pochettino sends on Jackson for Moreira at the break.

Jackson's side have looked good value for their share of the spoils at the break, defending valiantly and taking one of their only opportunities at the other end. Pochettino, who was visibly furious with Pell after the first penalty decision, may need to look to the likes of Caicedo, Fernandez or Jackson on his big-name bench to change this game.

Against all the odds, Wimbledon head in at half-time level with Chelsea 1-1 at Stamford Bridge. Tilley's 19th-minute penalty opened the scoring against the run of play after Sanchez felled Pell. However, the Blues fought back on the stroke of the interval as Madueke won and converted a spot-kick of his own after a needless foul by Pearce.

45' + 6' HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 AFC WIMBLEDON

45' + 5' Cucurella whips a teasing cross towards the penalty spot, where Pearce hooks clear. Another long ball comes in and Bass claims above his team-mates to ease the pressure.

45' + 4' It remains to be seen where the officials have found this additional time from, but the game continues as Maatsen brings down Williams outside the Wombles area.

45' + 2' A penalty apiece has this game level heading into half-time, although that will still delight the travelling Wimbledon.

N. Madueke

Penalty Goal

45' + 1' GOOOOOOOOOALLLL! CHELSEA EQUALISE TO MAKE IT 1-1! Madueke shows his coolness, stuttering up to the spot-kick before rolling a left-footed penalty into the bottom-left corner. Bass, miles off his line before it was taken, had no chance as he dived to his left.

45' PENALTY TO CHELSEA! Referee Harrington has no choice but to point to the spot after Pearce hacks down Madueke with a sliding challenge inside the area. The Chelsea winger reached the byline before a needless lunge felled him and afforded the hosts a spot-kick.

44' Williams takes his time before delivering an inswinging corner towards the far post, where Pell nods down into the comfortable grasp of Sanchez.

43' Davison sneaks in behind the Chelsea defence after a pass down the left-hand channel and Colwill is forced to smash behind for a corner.

41' Gallagher dances through a few tackles before finding Madueke, whose pass for Burstow falls straight into the path of Pearce. Former Charlton striker Burstow has been way off the pace so far.

39' WIDE! Davison foolishly turns into trouble as Gallagher swarms outside the Wimbledon area. A loose ball falls for Madueke, who bends a curling effort just wide to the left of Bass' goal.

37' Gallagher and Madueke hover over a free-kick around 25 yards from goal after the Chelsea winger was felled by Johnson. Madueke takes the set-piece and clips high over the crossbar with his tame left-footed effort.

36' Chelsea must be fed up with Lewis as the centre-back blocks yet another attempt from Maatsen inside the area. The Wimbledon defender has been a one-man wall, protecting Bass as if his life depends on it.

34' Cucurella exchanges a one-two before crossing towards the front post for the run of Burstow. Fortunately for Jackson's side, Lewis heads behind for a corner before the set-piece comes to nothing.

33' Wimbledon's 2-1 victory over Coventry in the first round was their first ever EFL Cup win against a side from a higher division than them (L7). They're looking to reach the third round of the competition for just the second time, after the 2021-22 season.

31' Pell offers Chelsea a brief scare with a delicate throughball down the centre for Davison. However, the visitors' striker fails to take the ball in his stride and Colwill intervenes.

30' A sea of Wimbledon shirts meet Maatsen's attempted shot from outside the area to protect Bass' goal. Madueke managed to create the space for his fellow attacker, who was quickly crowded out when he looked to pull the trigger.

28' Moreira's set-piece delivery is once again poor as Wimbledon clear at the front post. Every away touch is being greeted by a wild roar from the travelling supporters.

27' Gallagher powers through the heart of the Wombles midfield before seeing his right-foot curled attempt deflected behind by Lewis, who seems to be everywhere so far.

25' CLOSE! Maatsen twists and turns on the edge of the area before unleashing a wicked left-footed drive. Lewis jumps in to block, with his deflection sailing just wide of the right post as Bass dived the other way. A close call for Wimbledon there.

23' Bass is once again quickly off his line to thwart the chasing Maatsen, who was looking to latch onto a long pass over the top of the Wimbledon defence. Jackson's men have started in an unbelievable fashion!

21' The Blues have been in the ascendancy throughout but are a goal down against the run of play. Moreira wanders down the left flank but his cross is claimed comfortably by Bass.

J. Tilley

Penalty Goal

19' GOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLL! 1-0 TO THE LEAGUE TWO WIMBLEDON! Tilley makes no mistake as he hammers his left-footed spot-kick straight down the middle. Sanchez dives to his right and is nowhere near it. The Wombles race to the other end to celebrate with their travelling fans, who will be in dreamland with this start at Stamford Bridge!

18' After remaining down on the ground, Pell wanders off the pitch for some medical attention. It will be Tilley to take the chance from 12 yards...

18' PENALTY TO WIMBLEDON! Williams clips a delicate delivery towards the far post, where Sanchez punches away from danger. However, referee Harrington decides the Chelsea goalkeeper has caught Pell late and points to the penalty spot!

16' Gallagher fells Neufville near the left-hand channel, offering Wimbledon a free-kick in a presentable crossing position.

15' Moreira goes over to the right-hand side to take the first corner of the game, conceded by Pearce. The Blues winger curls a left-footed cross towards the near post, where Davison clears away with ease.

14' Pearce inexplicably passes out of play with little pressure around him. The gulf in quality is on show thus far, although Chelsea are yet to reap the rewards of their possessional dominance.

12' Moreira whips an inviting cross into the area but there's no Chelsea team-mate waiting to attack the delivery. Madueke recovers but his mazy run comes to an abrupt end as he takes the ball out of play for a goal-kick.

10' Johnson gets the game back under way with a quick throw-in as the travelling Wimbledon supporters continue to make all the noise. A few more throws come on the left-hand side as the Wombles set up shop in the far corner.

9' Play temporarily comes to a halt as Lewis is down for Wimbledon near the centre circle. The Wombles medical staff are on tending to their player at Stamford Bridge.

7' While Chelsea appeared to line-up with a three-man defence, it looks more like Humphreys on the right of a four-man defence, with Maatsen, Moreira and Madueke in behind Burstow. Gallagher and Ugochukwu are holding in midfield.

5' Colwill angles a long cross-field pass over the top of the Wombles defence, but Moreira's touch lets him down as the winger looks to attack to the left of Bass' goal.

4' Bass races out to the edge of his area to collect a wayward long pass and pumps it long out of his hands. Davison does his best to find a team-mate, but ultimately fails in his attempts to link-up play.

3' As expected, Pochettino's hosts have dominated the early proceedings on the ball, albeit for very little progress up the pitch. Wimbledon are sat deep, inviting their opponents onto them.

1' Referee Tony Harrington gets this game under way at Stamford Bridge!

This is the first ever meeting between Chelsea and the newly formed Wimbledon, who were founded in 2002 by former supporters of Wimbledon FC after the Football Association allowed that club to relocate to Milton Keynes. The Blues are unbeaten in their last seven debut matches against domestic opponents (W4 D3) since a 1-0 loss at Bournemouth in the second tier in September 1988.

Wombles manager Johnnie Jackson makes five changes to his last starting line-up that shared the spoils with Forest Green. Pell, Davison, Pearce, Ball and Williams all come in as Wimbledon revert to a five-man defence. Captain Jake Reeves and midfield partner Armani Little miss out through injury, while Davison starts up top as the lone striker.

Only four players from Chelsea’s last starting XI, which overcame Luton Town 3-0, keep their place in Pochettino’s much-changed side. Sanchez, Disasi and Colwill all start, while Blues academy product Gallagher captains his boyhood club for this cup tie. Young striker Burstow, signed from Charlton Athletic in January 2022, leads the line and will be flanked by the exciting pairing of Maatsen and Moreira.

SUBSTITUTES: Nik Tzanev, Lee Brown, Ali Al-Hamadi, Omar Bugiel, Paris Lock, Ethan Sutcliffe, Aron Sasu, Kai Jennings.

AFC WIMBLEDON (5-4-1): Alex Bass; Isaac Ogundere, Ryan Johnson, Joe Lewis, Alex Pearce, James Tilley; Morgan Williams, Harry Pell, James Ball, Josh Neufville; Josh Davison.

SUBSTITUTES: Djordje Petrovic, Lucas Bergstrom, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson.

CHELSEA (3-4-3): Robert Sanchez; Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Bashir Humphreys; Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Lesley Ugochukwu, Marc Cucurella; Noni Madueke, Mason Burstow, Diego Moreira.

Wimbledon have started strong in the fourth tier of the English football this season, going unbeaten in their five League Two games after two wins and three draws. The Wombles defeated Championship side Coventry City 2-1 to reach this stage, with their reward a chance to challenge the big-spending Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino bullishly – and perhaps rather optimistically – declared his intentions are to win every competition Chelsea compete in this season. The Blues haven’t lifted this trophy since 2015, albeit they should have the quality to overpower their League Two visitors here. Pochettino’s side have just one win in three Premier League games this term, though, after an underwhelming start to his tenure in west London.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the EFL Cup second-round clash between Chelsea and AFC Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea v AFC Wimbledon Live Commentary, 30/08/2023

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