FOOTBALL – Chelsea eased into the English League Cup third round with a 2-0 victory over third-tier Luton Town yesterday as Danny Welbeck marked his debut with a goal in Xabi Alonso’s first competitive home match in charge.
Rodrigo Muniz scored his first goal in more than a year as Fulham beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 to reach the third round, where they will face West Ham.
Emile Smith Rowe put Fulham ahead with a first-half header from a Kenny Tete cross before Muniz made it 2-0 before the break, also heading in from a Tete delivery.
The win was Fulham’s first under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, and the Spaniard made 10 changes after Monday’s Premier League defeat by Chelsea.
Summer signing Gonzalo Garcia wrapped up the victory with a goal in stoppage time.
Amid pre-match speculation over the futures of Enzo Fernandez and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, it was one of Chelsea’s less-heralded arrivals who made the decisive breakthrough.
Welbeck headed home shortly after the restart, powering a Malo Gusto cross into the net to open his account for the club.
Alonso fielded a strong side with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and captain Reece James all in the starting line-up, and Chelsea dominated possession from the outset.
“We want to have a complete squad in all aspects, in quality, maturity, personality, young players with experienced players,” Alonso said.
“It’s important that young players get help to develop and in those cases the experienced players help a lot.”
“Happy with the energy and the attitude of the players. The crowd, as well, has been great, we need them for the whole season. Now rest and we’ll come back here (Stamford Bridge) on Sunday.”
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