Liverpool squeezed into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a nervy 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield. Teenager Tyrique George scored and set up another to inspire Chelsea as they avoided a Carabao Cup upset at League One Lincoln City.
The Reds almost went ahead within the opening minute when Curtis Jones threaded a pass to Alexander Isak, but the striker’s effort was kept out by Alex McCarthy.
The visitors also looked lively in the early stages and went even closer minutes later as Adam Armstrong’s low strike was tipped onto the post by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
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The first half saw chances at both ends. Federico Chiesa had a close-range effort saved after Isak teed him up, while Southampton were left frustrated just before the break.
Joe Gomez gave the ball away cheaply, allowing Armstrong to dink it over the keeper, only for it to hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Léo Scienza, but he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
The hosts punished the miss immediately. Chiesa intercepted a loose pass from McCarthy and squared to Isak, who clinically slotted home his first goal for the club.
The Saints responded in the second half, equalizing in the 76th minute. A corner caused chaos in the Liverpool box, and Shea Charles was on hand to finish from close range after Wataru Endo failed to clear.
The Reds, however, restored their lead late on. In the 86th minute, Chiesa controlled a long ball from Andy Robertson and squared for Hugo Ekitiké to tap in. The celebration proved costly, though, as Ekitiké’s removal of his shirt earned him a second yellow card, leaving Liverpool with ten men for the final minutes and the striker facing a one-match suspension.
Despite the late pressure from Southampton, Arne Slot‘s side held on to book their place in the next round of a competition they have now won a record ten times.
Hello and welcome to football. London for live coverage of Chelsea‘s Carabao Cup third round tie away at Lincoln City this evening.
The Blues are looking to avoid an upset against the League One side at the LNER Stadium tonight, as well as end a three-match winless run. Enzo Maresca warned his players against complacency in yesterday’s pre-match press conference, with the Chelsea head coach actually stating he is more concerned about this sort of match than he would be a Premier League fixture.
Maresca is expected to name a much-changed side to the one that lost at Manchester United on Saturday evening. The defeat at Old Trafford was Chelsea’s third intense match in the space of seven days and this evening’s clash looks to be the perfect opportunity for the head coach to rest some of his significant players.
Team news will be announced at around 6:45pm this evening, and we will have all of that for you right here in our dedicated live blog.
Kick-off in Lincoln is at 7:45pm. If you are unable to watch it, or you just want detailed analysis and updates from the cup tie, then Bobby Vincentis on hand to give you just that this evening.
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