Danny Welbeck scored his first Chelsea goal as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Luton Town 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup second round.
Alonso fielded a surprisingly strong line-up against the League One side though there were noteworthy absences, most significantly Enzo Fernández, who was not in the squad ahead of an expected transfer bid from Manchester City.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was also benched following his two errors against Fulham on Monday meaning a debut for 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders, on the day a deal was agreed for the club to sign Aston Villa‘s Emiliano Martínez.
Read more:Chelsea offered chance to sign Villa’s Emiliano Martínez – source
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers were surprise inclusions, with Estêvão also coming in for his first start of the season. It was his cross late in the game that was turned into his own net by Luton defender Hakeem Odoffin to make it 2-0.
Welbeck had earlier opened the scoring just after half-time with a far-post header from Malo Gusto’s cross, whilst for the first time in Chelsea’s new era, Alonso’s name was sung out by home supporters.
Read more:Wrexham sign Danny Imray from Crystal Palace; Paul Mullin joins Rotherham
Luton, managed by former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, were organised and tough to penetrate but the result never looked in jeopardy.
