At kick-off, there was a gap of 63 positions between the teams. However, it was League Two’s AFC Wimbledon that secured the lead at Stamford Bridge with an early penalty from James Tilley. Chelsea equalized with their own penalty just before halftime, courtesy of Noni Madueke. Later in the second half, substitute Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal. Their next match in the third round will be against Brighton at home, scheduled for September 26 or 27.
It was a tale of two penalties in the first half. AFC Wimbledon struck first on 19 minutes, after Robert Sanchez had come to punch clear a free-kick and instead connected with Harry Pell, before Tilley sent the ball past the Chelsea goalkeeper from 12 yards.
Then it was Chelsea’s turn in stoppage time. Madueke, undoubtedly their bright spark, raced down the right before being brought down in the box. He stepped up to beat Alex Bass in the Dons net.
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Mauricio Pochettino eventually called for his reinforcements, with Fernandez and Malo Gusto coming on.
It was Enzo who made the difference, as he capitalised on a mistake at the back from Bass, whose poor attempt at a clearance ricocheted into the Argentine’s path, allowing him to bend the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box, taking Chelsea into the third round.