Enzo Fernández spares Chelsea’s blushes in win over AFC Wimbledon

Mauricio Pochettino once said his bosses could demand a trophy if they spent £300 million on players. Against League Two AFC Wimbledon, he turned to a Chelsea bench worth more than £340 million in order to overcome a deficit and send the star-studded club into the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Two British-record signings, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, finished on the field and it was the former who made the difference with the winner and his first Chelsea goal. Wimbledon, 63 places lower in the English pyramid, were a match for their neighbours, adopting an old-school approach by utilising the 6ft 4in Harry Pell throughout. A spirited display but a night Johnnie Jackson’s side will consider a missed chance.

In the absence of the usual team leaders, Pochettino handed the captain’s armband to Conor Gallagher. It was a proud moment for the boyhood Chelsea fan, who joined the club aged eight and has faced an uncertain future this summer. This dream moment was soon darkened, though.

Gallagher committed the foul 30 yards from goal that allowed Pell a first opportunity to take his towering frame into Chelsea’s box. An imposing presence for Robert Sánchez, clearly. The Chelsea goalkeeper came charging off his line and punched desperately at the ball, yet connected with Pell’s head and the referee, Tony Harrington, pointed to the penalty spot.

Pell remained on the turf for a considerable period, berated by Pochettino for what the Chelsea head coach considered a dive, but was on his feet by the time James Tilley had driven the ball powerfully into the middle of the net and beyond a diving Sánchez.

Wimbledon’s fans had made the short journey on the District Line to Fulham Broadway in numbers, filling the Shed End at Stamford Bridge. Full of optimism after an unbeaten start to the League Two season, the supporters were in full voice and the decibels rose even higher when Tilley scored. He sprinted the full length of the pitch to celebrate with them.

Pochettino had not picked the kids but it was largely a second-choice line-up. Ian Maatsen was lively, debutant Diego Moreira showed some pace, but the only real threat bubbling away was Noni Madueke. There is a strong possibility that Madueke becomes a regular in Pochettino’s team but this was his first start for the club after recovering from injury.

Cutting in off the right, with speed and purpose, he posed a constant threat. Just before the break Madueke raced past two defenders and to the byline in the box, where Alex Pearce dived in desperately. Harrington was pointing to another penalty spot. Madueke converted confidently, dinking the ball beyond Alex Bass.

Pochettino was still unimpressed. He disappeared down the tunnel readying his team talk. Moreira suffered the worst outcome. He was replaced by Nicolas Jackson, who had an immediate impact, drawing a save from Bass with a powerful effort.

Chelsea grew more dominant. Madueke was enjoying himself, while Gallagher tested Bass from the edge of the area. The Wimbledon substitute Ali Al-Hamadi then showed electric pace, letting go with a left-footed shot that Axel Disasi blocked. The game had opened up, so Pochettino turned to more stars. Fernández and Malo Gusto were introduced.

Gusto replaced Colwill, who disappeared down the tunnel after speaking to physios. Pochettino’s injury issues are mounting up. Fernández increased the quality in the home side instantly, picking up the ball from more than 30 yards and letting fly with an effort Bass did well to tip round the post.

His next attempt only needed to hit the target to go in. Bass surrendered his goal to chase a loose ball but his clearance pinged off Maatsen, then Joe Lewis, into Fernández’s path. The £105 million man sealed Chelsea’s progress.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) R Sanchez 6 — B Humphreys 6, A Disasi 6, L Colwill 6 (M Gusto 65min, 7), M Cucurella 6 — C Gallagher 6, L Ugochukwu 6 — N Madueke 7 (M Caicedo 81), I Maatsen 6, D Moreira 6 (N Jackson 45, 7) — M Burstow 5 (E Fernandez 65, 8). Booked Maatsen.

AFC Wimbledon (4-4-1-1): A Bass 7 — I Ogundere 7, J Lewis 8, A Pearce 5 (L Brown 56, 6), R Johnson 7 — J Tilley 8 (R McLean 89), J Ball 7, M Williams 7, J Neufville 7 (A Sasu 79) — H Pell 8 (O Bugiel 79) — J Davison 7 (Al-Hamadi 56, 7). Booked Pearce, Pell.

Referee T Harrington. Attendance 37,794.