Referee Chaos Overshadows Chelsea’s Narrow Carabao Cup Win Over Lincoln City
Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup third round on September 23, 2025, should have been a straightforward step forward for Enzo Maresca’s side, but instead, it was marred by a refereeing performance that left fans, players, and Chelsea legend John Terry fuming. At Sincil Bank, referee Matthew Donohue’s handling of the match sparked outrage, with a missed penalty call and unpunished fouls fueling claims of “shocking” officiating. The absence of VAR in this stage of the EFL Cup only magnified the errors, turning a gritty cup tie into a flashpoint of controversy.
The match was already off to a disastrous start for Chelsea, with Wesley Fofana stretchered off just one minute in after a collision with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen during one of Lincoln’s trademark long throws. The League One side, led by Michael Skubala, took a surprise lead through Rob Street’s sharp finish in the first half, exploiting a Chelsea lineup weakened by injuries to Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and others. Lincoln’s physical approach and relentless set-piece pressure kept the Blues on edge, but it was the referee’s failure to control the game that dominated the narrative.
A pivotal moment came in the 32nd minute when Pedro Neto was brought down in the box by Lincoln’s Lewis Montsma. The winger, surging past defenders, was clearly clipped, yet Donohue waved away appeals for a penalty, awarding a goal kick instead. Fans who watched every minute, like yourself, were livid, with one social media post summing it up: “Blatant foul in the box, and the ref just ignored it because there’s no VAR.” Lincoln’s aggressive tactics saw them rack up multiple unpunished fouls, particularly on Moisés Caicedo and Marc Cucurella, with no yellow cards issued despite reckless challenges. By halftime, Chelsea hadn’t managed a shot on target, their rhythm disrupted by both Lincoln’s intensity and Donohue’s leniency.
John Terry, the Chelsea icon who captained the club to five Premier League titles, didn’t hold back in his post-match assessment. Speaking to Sky Sports, he blasted the officiating as “unacceptable from the first whistle to the last.” He singled out the missed penalty, saying, “That foul on Neto was clear as day. Without VAR, the referee has to get these calls right, not wave them away to please the crowd. It’s dangerous and a disservice to the game.” Terry’s words resonated widely, sparking a social media storm with thousands of posts demanding accountability. Fans echoed his frustration, with one writing, “The ref let Lincoln foul constantly without a booking—it’s criminal.”
Maresca, more measured, acknowledged the tough night but focused on his team’s resilience. Substitutes Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Facundo Buonanotte turned the game with second-half goals, securing Chelsea’s place in the fourth-round draw. Yet, the manager hinted at irritation, noting, “Some decisions went against us, but we focus on what we can control.” Lincoln’s Skubala admitted the referee’s leniency suited his side’s physical style but conceded it may have gone “too far at times.” Some Imps fans hailed Donohue for “letting the game flow,” while others worried about the precedent set by unchecked aggression.
The lack of VAR in the Carabao Cup’s early rounds has long been a sore point, and this match added fuel to the debate. Chelsea’s recent run-ins with contentious calls—like a disputed penalty decision against Manchester United days earlier—only heightened the sense of injustice. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited faces pressure to address officiating standards, especially as cup ties pit top-flight teams against lower-league sides with contrasting styles. For now, Chelsea move forward, but the scars of Sincil Bank linger. Terry’s verdict has struck a chord, and as the Blues prepare for upcoming Premier League clashes, the call for fairer refereeing grows louder.
