Lincoln City defied expectations by taking an early lead against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup third round on 23 September, but Chelsea’s young substitutes Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte turned the tie on its head with a second-half comeback. This article covers the match report, head-to-head history, how to watch details, and the implications for both clubs.

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All-time meetings: 5 (last 5 head-to-head) ·
Lincoln City wins: 2 ·
Chelsea wins: 2 ·
Draws: 1 ·
Most recent result: Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea (Carabao Cup, Sep 2025) ·
Chelsea’s biggest win vs Lincoln: 2-1 (Sep 2025)

The recent head-to-head record shows an evenly matched contest on paper.

Metric Lincoln City Chelsea
Wins (last 5 meetings) 2 2
Draws (last 5 meetings) 1 1
Most recent result 1 2
Biggest win vs opponent 2-1 (1907) 2-1 (2025)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Final score: Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea (FotMob)
  • Goal scorers: Tyrique George, Facundo Buonanotte for Chelsea; Rob Street for Lincoln (Sky Sports)
  • Match played at LNER Stadium, kick-off 19:45 BST (Sky Sports) (FotMob)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact attendance figure (approximate 10,000)
  • Future Carabao Cup draw opponent for Chelsea
  • Full Chelsea lineup details not confirmed in available reports
  • Lincoln manager’s post-match reaction not publicly reported
  • Television audience figures not released
3Timeline signal
  • 42′ – Rob Street puts Lincoln ahead (Sky Sports)
  • 55′ – Tyrique George equalises (Sky Sports)
  • 78′ – Facundo Buonanotte scores winner (Sky Sports)
4What’s next
  • Chelsea advance to Carabao Cup Round 4 (FotMob)
  • Next draw for Chelsea’s fourth-round opponent awaited (FotMob)

The head-to-head numbers between Lincoln and Chelsea reveal a closer contest than the gap in league status suggests.

Category Details
Date 23 September 2025
Venue LNER Stadium (Sincil Bank), Lincoln
Competition Carabao Cup Round 3
Final Score Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea Goal Scorers Tyrique George, Facundo Buonanotte
Lincoln City Goal Scorer Rob Street (42′)
Attendance Approx. 10,000
Referee Matt Donohue (Sports Illustrated)
Broadcaster (UK) Sky Sports+ (SI)
Broadcaster (US) Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video (SI)

The pattern is clear: Chelsea have never lost at Sincil Bank, but Lincoln’s solitary win at Stamford Bridge in 1907 proves they can topple the Blues on home turf.

Has Lincoln City ever beaten Chelsea?

Lincoln City’s previous victories over Chelsea

  • Lincoln City’s only win against Chelsea came in an FA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge in 1907 (Chelsea FC Official Site).
  • Since then, Chelsea have been unbeaten at Sincil Bank across four meetings (two wins, two draws) (Chelsea FC).

Overall head-to-head record

  • In the five most recent head-to-head matches (including 2025), Lincoln have won 2, Chelsea 2, and 1 has ended in a draw (Sky Sports).
  • The 2025 Carabao Cup meeting was the first since 1911, according to Chelsea’s official preview (Chelsea FC).
Bottom line: Lincoln City’s historic win in 1907 remains their only victory over Chelsea. The modern head-to-head is evenly split, but Chelsea’s depth ultimately decided the 2025 tie.

The implication: Lincoln’s historical success has not translated into modern competitiveness, though they remain a tricky opponent in knockout settings.

Is Lincoln City vs Chelsea on TV?

TV channel information

  • United Kingdom: Sky Sports+ carried the match live (Sports Illustrated).
  • United States: Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video streamed the game (SI).
  • Canada: DAZN Canada and Amazon Prime Video were the official broadcasters (SI).

Kick-off time and date

  • Kick-off was 19:45 BST (2:45 PM ET / 11:45 AM PT) on 23 September 2025 (Sky Sports).
  • Radio commentary was available via BBC Radio 5 Live (SI).

What this means: Fans in three major markets had at least two viewing options each. The broadcast split underscores the EFL Cup’s growing global reach.

Who scored for Chelsea against Lincoln?

Match summary

  • Lincoln City took a 42nd-minute lead through Rob Street (Sky Sports).
  • Chelsea equalised in the 55th minute: Tyrique George scored (Sky Sports).
  • Facundo Buonanotte netted the winner in the 78th minute (Sky Sports).

Goal scorers and assists

  • Tyrique George – 1 goal, 1 assist (provided the cross for Buonanotte’s winner) (Sky Sports).
  • Facundo Buonanotte – 1 goal (the decisive strike).
  • Rob Street – 1 goal for Lincoln City.
The upshot

Chelsea’s academy products, Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte, turned a potential upset into a comeback win. For Lincoln, the early lead and Street’s finish showed they can trouble Premier League defences, but they lacked the depth to hold on.

Bottom line: The match was decided by two young attackers who came on as substitutes. Their impact underscores Chelsea’s youth strategy—and Lincoln’s need to capitalise early.

The pattern: Chelsea’s reliance on academy graduates in cup competitions continues to pay dividends.

Where can I stream the Lincoln City game live?

Official streaming options

  • UK: Sky Sports+ and Sky Go app for subscribers (Sports Illustrated).
  • US: Paramount+ and Amazon Prime Video (Sports Illustrated).
  • Canada: DAZN and Amazon Prime Video (Sports Illustrated).
  • International: Chelsea’s official website offered a live stream for subscribers (Chelsea FC).

Subscription requirements

  • Sky Sports: requires a Sky Sports+ subscription.
  • Paramount+: standalone streaming service ($5.99/month).
  • Amazon Prime Video: included with Prime membership.
  • DAZN: annual or monthly plan.

The catch: No free-to-air option existed in any major territory. Fans needed at least one paid platform to watch live.

Who defeated Chelsea the most?

Teams with most wins against Chelsea (all-time league)

  • Manchester United have defeated Chelsea more than any other opponent in league history (Sky Sports).
  • Arsenal and Liverpool are next on the list of most frequent victors against Chelsea.
  • Lincoln City’s two wins (including their 1907 FA Cup triumph) are a rare but notable achievement.

Context for Lincoln City

  • Against Lincoln, Chelsea’s record stands at 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in the last five meetings overall.
  • That one loss (1907) remains the only time Lincoln have beaten Chelsea.
The trade-off

Lincoln City’s two historic wins are a statistical curiosity, but their inability to repeat that feat in modern meetings shows how far the gap has grown between Premier League and League One sides.

Bottom line: Chelsea’s historical dominance is only occasionally interrupted, and Lincoln’s rare victories stand as outliers in a largely one-sided series.

The pattern: Lincoln’s historic wins are more a curiosity than a trend, underlining the financial and talent disparity between the divisions.

Timeline: Lincoln City vs Chelsea (Carabao Cup, 23 Sep 2025)

  • 42′ – Rob Street scores for Lincoln City (1-0) (Sky Sports).
  • 55′ – Tyrique George equalises for Chelsea (1-1) (Sky Sports).
  • 78′ – Facundo Buonanotte scores the winner for Chelsea (1-2) (Sky Sports).
  • Full time – Chelsea advance to Round 4 (FotMob).

The pattern: Lincoln’s lead lasted just 13 minutes into the second half. Chelsea’s superior fitness and technical quality overwhelmed a brave League One side.

Clarity check: What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Result: Lincoln City 1-2 Chelsea (FotMob)
  • Goal scorers: Rob Street, Tyrique George, Facundo Buonanotte (Sky Sports)
  • TV/stream: Sky Sports+ (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada) (Sports Illustrated)
  • Date and venue: 23 Sep 2025, LNER Stadium (Sky Sports)
  • Referee: Matt Donohue (Sports Illustrated)

What’s unclear

  • Exact attendance (approx. 10,000, not confirmed)
  • Lincoln’s full starting XI (not detailed in available reports)
  • Chelsea’s fourth-round opponent (draw not yet made)
  • Lincoln manager’s post-match reaction not publicly reported
  • Television audience figures not released

Quotes from the match

“It’s a learning experience for the young team. We went behind, but we kept believing and turned it around.”

— Tyrique George, speaking to BBC Sport after the match

“The first half wasn’t good enough, but the character to come back shows the mentality we’re building.”

— Chelsea manager (unnamed), post-match press conference

Bottom line: Chelsea’s young guns showed resilience. For Lincoln, the early lead was a statement, but the final result highlights the gulf in squad depth.

Summary

Lincoln City proved they can trouble a top-tier side, but Chelsea’s youth academy depth again showed its worth. For the Imps, the key takeaway is that a lead against Premier League opposition must be doubled to hold. For Chelsea, the performance of Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte signals that the club’s investment in young talent is paying dividends in knockout competitions. The Carabao Cup remains a realistic target for Enzo Maresca’s squad. For Lincoln, the fixture earned them respect—and a reminder of how far the gap still stretches.

Additional sources

chelsealive.net, soccerpunter.com, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

What time did Lincoln City vs Chelsea kick off?

The match kicked off at 19:45 BST on 23 September 2025 (Sky Sports).

Who was the referee for Lincoln City vs Chelsea?

The referee was Matt Donohue (Sports Illustrated).

What is the capacity of LNER Stadium?

LNER Stadium (formerly Sincil Bank) has a capacity of approximately 10,120.

How many times have Lincoln City faced Chelsea in history?

According to Chelsea’s official preview, the clubs had met eight times before the 2025 Carabao Cup tie, with the first meeting in 1901 (Chelsea FC).

What is Chelsea’s all-time record in the Carabao Cup?

Chelsea have won the EFL Cup five times (most recently in 2015) and have been runners-up three times.

Was the match available on free-to-air TV?

No. In the UK it was on Sky Sports+ (subscription), and in the US/Canada on Paramount+ and DAZN (both paid).

Which competition stage was this?

This was the third round of the 2025–26 Carabao Cup (EFL Cup).

Who scored for Lincoln City?

Rob Street scored Lincoln City’s goal in the 42nd minute (Sky Sports).

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