Danny Welbeck scored on his Chelsea debut as the Blues beat Luton Town to reach the third round of the EFL Cup.

Chelsea moved through to the third round of the EFL Cup after grinding out a 2-0 win against a stubborn Luton Town.

Into the third round of the #CarabaoCup! 🏆#CFC pic.twitter.com/XAjq7aT1kQ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 27, 2026

Luton delivered a disciplined defensive performance which frustrated the Blues for most of the game.

Cole Palmer’s early shot was wide of goal as the Blues started to pry. Luton then denied two clear cut chances to test their goalkeeper.

They could only shield their keeper for a little longer before Palmer finally forced into a save and when called into action, Keely, Luton’s keeper made a double save to deny Cole Palmer. He then denied Estevao from close range and Reece James from a free-kick.

Chelsea continued to work the Luton defence but they couldn’t get the ball to go into the back of the net as they either shot wide or over the bar. The closest they came to scoring in the dying minutes of the first half was Rogers’ shot which skimmed off the bar.

Chelsea came out in the second half pushing for the opening goal and five minutes after the restart, they were ahead.

Gusto and Estevao combined on the wing and a perfect cross into the box was met by debutant Danny Welbeck who headed home with ease. A few minutes later, Welbeck nearly gets his second of the game but his shot goes way wide. Palmer also came close to doubling Chelsea’s lead but his shot skimmed the bar.

Luton managed to get spells of possession in the game but their best chance of the game came from a long-range shot from Kasey Palmer which narrowly missed the target.

Despite having most of the possession, Chelsea found it hard to break through a rigid Luton defence. Chelsea needed a second but Luton were making it very difficult.

The breakthrough eventually came in the 79th minute as Estevao’s shot took an unfortunate deflection off Odoffin to make it 2-0.

Chelsea pushed for a third but had to settle for a 2-0 win at full time. They will host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in the third round.

It’s Leeds at home in the next round. 🫡#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/GclwLRs6y2

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 27, 2026