Follow live coverage as Lincoln City face Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
Newcastle are the reigning champions of the competition following a stunning win over Liverpool at Wembley last term, with Alexander Isak proving decisive to end the club's 70-year domestic trophy drought.
While all 72 clubs from the football league enter from the first round, Premier League teams enter at the second or third round stage, the latter for clubs competing in Europe this season.
The final is slated for 22 March 2026 this term, at Wembley as usual, marking the first chance for teams to earn both a trophy and a place in next season’s Uefa competitions. Follow updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Lincoln City FC 1 - 2 Chelsea FC
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:41Match ends, Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 2.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:41Second Half ends, Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 2.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:41Substitution, Chelsea. Reggie Walsh replaces Facundo Buonanotte.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:41Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:41Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:41Foul by Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:36Foul by Marc Cucurella (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:35Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:35Offside, Chelsea. Shumaira Mheuka is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:35Filip Jörgensen (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:34Offside, Lincoln City. Justin Obikwu is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:31Substitution, Lincoln City. Francis Okoronkwo replaces Lewis Montsma.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:30James Collins (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:30Andrey Santos (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:27Attempt blocked. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:27Attempt saved. Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Zach Jeacock (Lincoln City). Assisted by Pedro Neto.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:27Foul by Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:24Attempt blocked. Estêvão (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Facundo Buonanotte.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:21Attempt missed. Pedro Neto (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Estêvão following a fast break.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:20Shumaira Mheuka (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:18Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:17Attempt missed. Malo Gusto (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:17Attempt blocked. Estêvão (Chelsea) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Pedro Neto with a cross.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:17Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Lincoln City. James Collins replaces Freddie Draper.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Lincoln City. Justin Obikwu replaces Rob Street.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Lincoln City. Tom Bayliss replaces Ivan Varfolomieiev.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Lincoln City. Reeco Hackett replaces Ben House.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Chelsea. Pedro Neto replaces Jamie Gittens.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Chelsea. Marc Cucurella replaces Enzo Fernández.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:16Substitution, Chelsea. Shumaira Mheuka replaces Tyrique George.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:14Attempt missed. Rob Street (Lincoln City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Tom Hamer.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:14Attempt missed. Freddie Draper (Lincoln City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Tom Hamer.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:14Attempt missed. Tom Hamer (Lincoln City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tendayi Darikwa with a cross.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:11Attempt missed. Lewis Montsma (Lincoln City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:11Foul by Andrey Santos (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:11Foul by Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:08Ben House (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:08Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:06Offside, Chelsea. Tyrique George is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:06Attempt missed. Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Malo Gusto with a cross.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:05Offside, Lincoln City. Rob Street is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:04Substitution, Chelsea. Estêvão replaces Alejandro Garnacho.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:03Foul by Tyrique George (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:01Freddie Draper (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:01Malo Gusto (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:01Attempt saved. Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Zach Jeacock (Lincoln City). Assisted by Malo Gusto.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:00Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:00Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:02Attempt blocked. Freddie Draper (Lincoln City) header from very close range is blocked.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
21:00Attempt blocked. Rob Street (Lincoln City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Hamer with a headed pass.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:58Foul by Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:58Attempt missed. Jorrel Hato (Chelsea) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by Alejandro Garnacho following a corner.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:58Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Tendayi Darikwa.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:58Offside, Lincoln City. Freddie Draper is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:57Goal! Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 2. Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea) left footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tyrique George.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:53Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:52Goal! Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 1. Tyrique George (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:50Second Half begins Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 0.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:34First Half ends, Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 0.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:34Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:33Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:31Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Ivan Varfolomieiev.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:29Goal! Lincoln City 1, Chelsea 0. Rob Street (Lincoln City) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ivan Varfolomieiev.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:27Offside, Lincoln City. Rob Street is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:27Attempt missed. Jamie Gittens (Chelsea) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jorrel Hato.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:26Attempt blocked. Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tyrique George.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:21Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:20Delay in match because of an injury Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:20Attempt missed. Ryley Towler (Lincoln City) header from the right side of the six yard box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Conor McGrandles with a cross following a corner.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:20Attempt blocked. Freddie Draper (Lincoln City) right footed shot from very close range is blocked.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:19Attempt missed. Tom Hamer (Lincoln City) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Varfolomieiev with a cross following a corner.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:19Corner, Lincoln City. Conceded by Jorrel Hato.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:18Offside, Chelsea. Alejandro Garnacho is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:17Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:16Attempt missed. Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ivan Varfolomieiev with a cross following a corner.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:14Corner, Lincoln City. Conceded by Wesley Fofana.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:12Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:09Attempt missed. Rob Street (Lincoln City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Tom Hamer.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:09Andrey Santos (Chelsea) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:07Foul by Andrey Santos (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:05Attempt missed. Jamie Gittens (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Enzo Fernández with a through ball.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:05Jamie Gittens (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
20:03Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:58Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:55Offside, Chelsea. Malo Gusto is caught offside.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:55Attempt missed. Freddie Draper (Lincoln City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Tendayi Darikwa.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:54Corner, Lincoln City. Conceded by Wesley Fofana.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:54Attempt blocked. Tom Hamer (Lincoln City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:53Foul by Facundo Buonanotte (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:53Foul by Freddie Draper (Lincoln City).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:52Foul by Tom Hamer (Lincoln City).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:50Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:48Delay in match because of an injury Wesley Fofana (Chelsea).
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:48Lewis Montsma (Lincoln City) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Ben House.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:46First Half begins.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
19:15Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Lincoln City vs Chelsea
17:45Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
We will have all the latest scores, goals and updates plus analysis and reaction throughout the game here. This season we're bringing you live coverage from every match in the Premier League, WSL, Championship, Carabao Cup and FA Cup from the third round onwards - as well as the best from the Champions League and beyond in Europe.
