Chelsea needed £107million midfielder Enzo Fernandez to save their blushes at home to AFC Wimbledon, who are 62 places below them in the football pyramid down, in the Carabao Cup second round.
Fernandez came off the bench to win the match, capitalising on a mistake by goalkeeper Alex Bass.
For much of the 90 minutes, Chelsea were second best against Jonnie Jackson’s well-drilled side. James Tilley deservedly opening the scoring from the penalty spot early on after a mistake from Robert Sanchez.
The Blues were gifted a way back into the game on the stroke of half-time with a spot-kick of their own. Noni Madueke won and scored it in a laboured victory.
Nizaar Kinsella was at Stamford Bridge watching Chelsea survive against their local rivals.
Robert Sanchez - 5
Gave away a penalty with new goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic watching from the bench.
Bashir Humphreys - 5
Out of position, the young defender struggled to offer anything in attack.
Levi Colwill - 6
Classy on the ball but came off injured.
Axel Disasi - 5
Frustrated as Colwill was by the poor midfield and forward players in front of him.
Marc Cucurella - 5
Looked tidy in possession but didn’t have the end product to help the forwards create chances.
Conor Gallagher - 6
Gallagher proudly captained his boyhood club for the first time but couldn’t bring creativity from his deep midfield role.
Lesley Ugochukwu - 6
The 19-year-old produced some great passing and well-timed defensive interventions on his first start but faded.
Ian Maatsen - 5
The defender turned attacker wasn’t dangerous enough as a no10 which is no doubt why Chelsea have just agreed a £45million deal for Manchester City’s Cole Palmer.
Diego Moreira - 2
Arguably had no positive actions, struggled early on and appeared to lose his head. Taken off at half-time.
Noni Madueke - 7
Beat his marker Ryan Johnson and was brought down in the box by Alex Pearce, before scoring the penalty he won to ease Chelsea’s nerves.
Mason Burstow - 4
Couldn’t get into the game as the no9 from the start.
Substitutes
Nicolas Jackson - 6
Worked a shooting chance on target soon after coming on at half-time and improved the link up play with his teammates.
Enzo Fernandez - 8
Very dangerous immediately after coming on forcing a save from Alex Bass from 35 yards before capitalising on the goalkeeper’s mistake in the 72nd minute to win the match.
Malo Gusto - 6
Slottted in nicely as you’d expect against this level of opponent.
Moises Caicedo - N/A
Unused subs: Petrovic, Bergstrom; Gusto, Chilwell, Silva, Samuels-Smith.
