Danny Welbeck opens goalscoring account as Chelsea see off Luton in Carabao Cup

By Robert O'Connor, Press Association

Danny Welbeck scored his first Chelsea goal as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Luton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup second round.

Alonso fielded a surprisingly strong line-up against the League One side though there were noteworthy absences, most significantly Enzo Fernandez, who was not in the squad ahead of an expected transfer bid from Manchester City.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was also benched following his two errors against Fulham on Monday meaning a debut for 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders, on the day a deal was agreed for the club to sign Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez.

Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers were surprise inclusions, with Estevao also coming in for his first start of the season. It was his cross late in the game that was turned into his own net by Luton defender Hakeem Odoffin to make it 2-0.

Welbeck had earlier opened the scoring just after half-time with a far-post header from Malo Gusto’s cross, whilst for the first time in Chelsea’s new era, Alonso’s name was sung out by home supporters.

Luton, managed by former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, were organised and tough to penetrate but the result never looked in jeopardy.