Carabao Cup round-up: Welbeck off the mark for Chelsea, Fulham cruise

Danny Welbeck scored his first Chelsea goal as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Luton 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 Fernandez, who was not in the squad ahead of an expected transfer bid from Manchester City.

Reports in Fernandez’s home country of Argentina had suggested the player had asked not to play but Alonso said the decision was taken in order to give other players opportunities.

“We assess individually, collectively what is the best for the team for tonight, what is better for other players that were playing,” he said.

“It was our decision, from myself and from the club.”

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez 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 Martinez.

Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers were surprise inclusions, with Estevao 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.

Rodrigo Muniz struck his first goal in a year as Fulham swept aside AFC Wimbledon 3-0 to set up a Carabao Cup third-round tie against West Ham.