Chelsea vs Luton LIVE: Carabao Cup result, latest updates and reaction
Chelsea have reached the third round of the Carabao Cup following a routine 2-0 win over Luton. The Blues were initially frustrated by their League One opponents at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, with Morgan Rogers hitting the crossbar and Josh Keeley denying captain Reece James as Jack Wilshere’s resilient visitors went in at the half-time break level. However, Chelsea were ahead just five minutes later as veteran striker Danny Welbeck headed in an easy debut goal from close-range after Malo Gusto’s cross.
Victory was later wrapped up by an unfortunate Hakeem Odoffin own goal that was forced by the lively Estevao, with man of the match Cole Palmer and substitute Jamie Gittens also striking the woodwork. Chelsea will now host old rivals Leeds in the third round next month, having made it successive wins this week to begin the Xabi Alonso era following Monday night’s thrilling 3-2 triumph over rivals Fulham in a west London derby at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
Enzo Fernandez’s shock squad omission amid an expected transfer bid from Manchester City was the biggest headline of the night, along with Chelsea agreeing a £7.5million deal with Aston Villa for the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Follow Chelsea vs Luton live below!
Chelsea vs Luton highlights
Live updates
94 mins: Luton are desperate for a last-gasp consolation goal to give those 4,000-plus travelling fans something to shout about, but a back-post header from a corner bounces down and off target.
93 mins: Chelsea hit the woodwork for the second time tonight in stoppage time!
Substitute Gittens’ low strike rebounds back off the base of the post.
So unlucky.
90 mins: Into four minutes of added time and Keeley keeps Chelsea from adding a late third goal as he saves from Palmer and then in-form substitute Joao Pedro.
86 mins: Barco has played well on debut in Chelsea’s midfield tonight, despite those early boos.
He clips a lovely lofted pass for Acheampong, who can’t hit the target with a header but is flagged offside anyway.
Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at Stamford Bridge
Neto is having to do plenty of defensive work and shadowing on the right flank since coming on - but then that is the wing-back role.
Chelsea are cruising to a routine win.
80 mins: Forcing that own goal proves to be Estevao’s last action of the night.
He is replaced by Jamie Gittens.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Luton | Hakeem Odoffin OG 79'
79 mins: And that should be that!
The lively Estevao beats Johnson with a couple of cute stepovers inside the Luton box before dragging a low shot that was missing the far post before being deflected in at the last by the unfortunate Odoffin.
78 mins: More boos from the home fans and Chelsea are asking the officials why Luton are not being similarly punished as strikers Devante Cole and Nahki Wells replace Kasey Palmer and Marshall.
77 mins: Cole Palmer comes up limping as he’s almost in for Chelsea again but is denied by a heavy-looking challenge from Odoffin.
Not something anyone connected with the Blues wants to see.