Malo Gusto revealed Chelsea had “never seen” anything like Lincoln City’s fearless style as the League One side pushed the Premier League giants all the way in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues edged a 2-1 victory at the LNER Stadium, but Michael Skubala’s men left a huge impression with their intensity and high press.
Imps Leave Chelsea Reeling
Lincoln took the game to Chelsea in the first half and were rewarded with a 42nd-minute opener. Ivan Varfolomeiev pounced on a loose pass from Enzo Fernandez, slipping the ball through for Rob Street to slot past Filip Jorgensen. The Imps finished the half with double the xG of their illustrious opponents and looked well set for an upset.
However, two goals in quick succession after the break changed the contest. Tyrique George levelled with a fine strike on 48 minutes before turning provider for Facundo Buonanotte moments later. That burst of quality proved decisive despite Lincoln’s persistent threat until the final whistle.
After the match, Chelsea full-back Gusto admitted he had been caught off guard by the Imps’ approach:
“The way that they play, I have never seen that in my life before, but that is their qualities and they tried to win the game. So we had to deal with that and I think we did quite well today.”
Skubala Proud Of Brave Effort
While Lincoln fell short of a famous scalp, Skubala was quick to praise his players for sticking to their plan and troubling a Champions League side. He pointed out that few teams press Chelsea as aggressively as his side did on Tuesday night, with the Imps forcing mistakes and creating multiple openings from set pieces and long throws.
“Not many teams press Chelsea how we pressed them tonight,” Skubala reflected, underlining the courage in his team’s display despite the final result. He acknowledged the decisive five-minute spell after half-time as the turning point, but stressed the positives in both performance and attitude.
Lincoln’s energy and organisation unsettled Enzo Maresca’s men throughout, drawing praise not just from their manager but also from opposition players. Even in defeat, the Imps underlined why they are riding high in League One this season and why few opponents relish a trip to the LNER Stadium.
Writer’s View
Lincoln may not have progressed, but their performance against Chelsea was a statement in itself. To hear an experienced international like Gusto describe their style as something he had “never seen” highlights how disruptive Skubala’s side can be.
Street’s goal capped a first-half display full of belief, and while Premier League quality eventually told, the Imps proved they can compete with the very best on their day. This tie may go down as a defeat on paper, but it will be remembered as another night when Lincoln’s identity, intensity and ambition shone brightly on a big stage.
