Mauricio Pochettino's disjointed side required a late strike from the Argentine to overcome their lowly visitors in the Carabao Cup second round
A heavily-rotated Chelsea side was forced to come from behind to edge League Two's AFC Wimbledon out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. Mauricio Pochettino's line-up had distinct future-meme potential — despite the fact it still cost northwards of £150 million ($191m) to assemble — as the Argentine fielded a predictably youthful XI with few familiar faces.
Noni Madueke equalised from the spot on the stroke of half-time after the Dons had taken a shock lead through a penalty of their own, but it took £106m ($135m) substitute Enzo Fernandez to win it for Chelsea late on, as he pounced on a poor pass out from the Wimbledon goalkeeper that ricocheted into his path and curled the ball into the empty net.
Here are GOAL's Chelsea player ratings from Stamford Bridge…
A fatal misjudgement as he tried and failed to claim a free-kick, absolutely clattering into an attacker to concede a penalty. Dominated his box from then on but the damage was done.
Bashir Humphreys (6/10):
Steady enough, showing his versatility at right-back, but didn't provide an attacking threat.
Axel Disasi (6/10):
Formidable in aerial duels and made a crucial block in the second period.
Levi Colwill (6/10):
Demonstrated his recovery pace as Chelsea sought to avoid being caught on the break.
Marc Cucurella (5/10):
Predictably got forward well but flattered to deceive with some of his end product and passing. Could be an underwhelming farewell performance as Manchester United circle.
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Midfield
Lesley Ugochukwu (5/10):
Cumbersome, losing the ball in the lead-up to the concession of the penalty. Ceded possession far too often but improved defensively after the break.
Conor Gallagher (6/10):
Captained the side. His foul resulted in the free-kick that Sanchez failed to claim, but he was full of endeavour as usual. Missed a sitter in added time.
Ian Maatsen (6/10):
A left-back-cum-attacking-midfielder. Always looked to engineer something, coming close with a deflected effort and late drive. The ball cannoned off him before falling to Enzo for the winner.
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Attack
Noni Madueke (8/10):
Carried Chelsea's attacking threat singlehandedly at times. Won a penalty at the end of one of many driving runs — picked himself up, dusted himself down and slotted it away. Faded somewhat as the game progressed, but still went close in the dying embers.
Mason Burstow (5/10):
Very isolated up front, but the youngster didn't exactly get the best service.
Diego Moreira (4/10):
Not an easy game in which to make your debut. Hooked at half-time after a disappointing 45 minutes.
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Subs & Manager
Nicolas Jackson (6/10):
On at the break and went close immediately. Much more of a focal point up front.
Enzo Fernandez (8/10):
Forced an excellent save from range moments after coming on. Capitalised on a horrible error to score his first-ever Chelsea goal, curling the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box. Almost added to his tally immediately with another long-range effort, but he'd already made the difference. Conspired to miss another open goal with the last kick of the game.
Malo Gusto (6/10):
Provided much more attacking thrust down the Chelsea right and was something of a distraction for the Wimbledon backline.
Moises Caicedo (N/A):
On to help see out the game.
Mauricio Pochettino (5/10):
Emphasised before the game that he wants to win everything there is to win, but tinkered with his line-up far too much here and almost paid the price. Bailed out by star man Enzo in the end.
