2025/25 Chelsea
1-2 (H) Street
Lincoln City welcomed world champions Chelsea to Sincil Bank for this 2025 third-round tie and came within 45 minutes of a remarkable upset. Despite Michael Skubala making six changes, the Imps outplayed their illustrious visitors during an exceptional first half. Lewis Montsma struck the post inside two minutes before Ivan Varfolomeev dispossessed Trevoh Chalobah and presented Rob Street with the chance to finish calmly past Filip Jörgensen. City deservedly led 1-0 at the interval, having prevented Chelsea from registering a shot on target.
Chelsea responded with two moments of Premier League quality immediately after the restart. Tyrique George equalised with a powerful long-range strike in the 48th minute before combining with Facundo Buonanotte, who completed the turnaround two minutes later. Lincoln quickly regained their composure and remained competitive, with Freddie Draper finding the side-netting and several dangerous deliveries threatening an equaliser. Chelsea held on for a 2-1 victory, but the Imps had matched one of the world’s most expensively assembled sides and produced a performance worthy of far more than a narrow defeat.
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