Enhlish forward, Danny Welbeck, netted on his debut as Premier League side, Chelsea, defeated League One side, Luton Town FC, 2-0 in the EFL Cup 2026/27 second round match at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 27 August, 2026.
After a first half that recorded no goal, Welbeck, a summer signing from Brighton and Hove Albion, found the opener for Xabi Alonso’s Blues in the 50th minute through a header from close range.
And, in the 79th minute, another English player, Hakeem Odoffin, gifted the home side the win with the second after striking the back of his own net.
Odoffin, Luton Town defender, diverted an attempted clearance from Estevao Willian’s shot into his own net.
Argentine midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, whose representatives are in talks with Manchester City for a move to Etihad Stadium, was left out of the action after featuring for the Blues in the Premier League showdown against Fulham; a game Chelsea narrowly won 3-2.
On Fernandez’s exit from Stamford Bridge and missing the contest against Luton, head coach, Alonso, reacted: “It was a decision I took.
“He’s a good professional. He’s training well and I have nothing to say about him.
” It was just a decision that we had to take, thinking about the game that we’re playing tonight and we’ll see for Sunday.”
Chelsea were in control for much of the first 45 minutes, however, Luton Town goalkeeper, Josh Keeley, made series of beautiful saves; one of the saves, the Irishman denied Cole Palmer early, in the 11th minute.
Also, Keeley saved a header from Welbeck and stretched fully to stop a free-kick from defender Reece James; and to ensure to scoreline is kept at 2-0, the goalie saved more efforts from Palmer and Joao Pedro.
Following Welbeck’s opener, the visitors struggled to create goal chances to get back into the game, before Odoffin’s own goal handed Chelsea the victory, which secured a third round spot for the Blues in the tournament.
On the other side of the EFL Cup, Premier League side, Fulham emerged winner over League One club, AFC Wimbledon, 3-0 at Craven Cottage in Fulham on Thursday.
Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will welcome Brighton at Stamford Bridge in London for the Premier League 2026/27 encounter on Sunday 30 August, 2026 at 14:00.
Currently, Brighton are toppers on the table with three (3) points, while, Chelsea are sixth, same points as the Seagulls.
