Lincoln City vs Chelsea Live Commentary: Full Match Timeline, Lineups, and Key Updates on 23 September 2025

The Carabao Cup clash between Lincoln City and Chelsea on 23 September 2025 at Sincil Bank promised to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the round. Chelsea arrived with pressure mounting after a series of disappointing results, while Lincoln City, flying high in League One, sought to create another famous cup upset. This article provides the complete Lincoln City vs Chelsea Live commentary, 23 Sept 2025 lineups and timeline, highlighting confirmed team selections, injury updates, early match events, and tactical insights.

Enzo Maresca Lineup Changes

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made sweeping lineup changes, rotating heavily to cope with fixture congestion and multiple injuries. The decision raised eyebrows, especially with several academy graduates and fringe players handed starts. Garnacho, the club’s new signing, made his full debut, while Enzo Fernández captained the side.

Key changes included:

• Robert Sánchez was suspended, forcing Jørgensen into goal.

• Youngster George started up front, leading the attack.

• Wesley Fofana partnered Trevoh Chalobah in central defense despite recent injury concerns.

This rotation underscored Maresca’s intent to balance competitiveness with squad management.

Chelsea Injuries and Absences

Chelsea entered the tie with a long injury list:

These absences forced Chelsea to rely on depth players, testing the squad’s resilience in a high-pressure knockout match.

Lincoln City Predicted XI and Actual Lineup

Lincoln City entered the fixture with fewer concerns compared to their Premier League opponents. Their predicted XI closely matched the final lineup, which featured a balanced mix of experience and youthful energy.

Lincoln City Starting XI

• Jeacock (GK)

• Darikwa, Montsma, Bradley, Reach

• McGrandles, Towler, Varfolomeev, Street

• House, Draper

Substitutes: Wickens, Hackett, Bayliss, Collins, Thorn, Ring, Okoronkwo, Obikwu

This setup highlighted Lincoln’s compact defensive shape, aiming to frustrate Chelsea’s possession-based play while relying on quick counterattacks.

Carabao Cup Live Updates and Timeline

The match began with intensity, as Lincoln City immediately tried to exploit Chelsea’s unsettled defense. Below is a timeline of early highlights:

• 1st minute: Lincoln’s Montsma rattled the post with a powerful strike, sending an early warning.

• 2nd minute: Wesley Fofana required treatment after a head clash but continued.

• 4th minute: The game remained goalless, with both teams testing each other’s defensive lines.

The tempo suggested that the evening could be far more competitive than many had predicted.

Match Preview Lincoln vs Chelsea

Heading into the contest, form and confidence played key roles in shaping expectations:

• Chelsea’s form: Winless in their last three matches across competitions, struggling to find consistency.

• Lincoln City’s form: Positioned third in League One, displaying strong momentum domestically.

Tactical Battle

• Chelsea relied on a 4-2-3-1 system with Enzo Fernández and Santos anchoring midfield.

• Lincoln City played with energy and compactness, pressing in bursts and looking to transition quickly.

• Set pieces and aerial duels were expected to be Lincoln’s main threat, while Chelsea banked on individual creativity.

The Carabao Cup third-round tie between Lincoln City and Chelsea delivered all the ingredients of a classic underdog story: a rotated Premier League giant facing a fearless League One contender. The Lincoln City vs Chelsea Live commentary, 23 Sept 2025 lineups and timeline revealed not only the squads’ contrasting situations but also the unpredictability of knockout football. With Maresca’s lineup changes, Chelsea’s injury concerns, and Lincoln’s spirited performance, the night promised to test the depth and mentality of both teams in a high-stakes cup clash.