Danny Welbeck scored his first Chelsea goal to break the deadlock against Luton in the Carabao Cup second round at Stamford Bridge, with the winners set to face Leeds in round three.
The 35-year-old headed home from close range five minutes after half-time, converting a pinpoint cross from the right by Gusto to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead. The goal was Welbeck's debut strike for the Blues, and Standard Sport's Dom Smith noted at the stadium that he is surely the club's oldest scorer since Thiago Silva.
Team news and early chances
Chelsea made five changes from their 3-2 west London derby win over Fulham on Monday, with Mike Penders given the chance to stake his claim to replace Robert Sanchez as the club's No1. There was no Enzo Fernandez in the squad at all, amid reports Manchester City are preparing a late transfer bid. A deal has been agreed to sign Emiliano Martinez.
Luton made six changes from their draw with Notts County, with Kasey Palmer lining up against his former club. Jordan Clark was injured. The Hatters, a Premier League club in 2023/24 before suffering successive relegations, have made an encouraging start to the season under former Arsenal favourite Jack Wilshere.
Morgan Rogers hit the crossbar for Chelsea before the break, with Josh Keeley making a couple of decent saves, most notably from Reece James' curling free-kick. The vocal travelling Luton supporters, numbering more than 4,000, greeted the half-time whistle with a huge collective cheer as their side went in level against the odds.
Second-half action
Luton made a half-time change, with Jake Richards replacing Gideon Kodua. The visitors were immediately in the ascendancy after the interval, earning a quick corner, but Walsh's delivery bounced high and then harmlessly wide off the head of Kasey Palmer.
Welbeck's goal brought relief around Stamford Bridge, where the atmosphere had been subdued, with Levi Colwill and Joao Pedro signing shirts on the bench as Calum McFarlane chatted with some Chelsea fans.
