The match was closely contested, with Lincoln's Rob Street scoring in the first half, but Chelsea fought back in the second half, thanks to goals from Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte.

Maresca acknowledged that Chelsea struggled with the physicality of the game in the first half, which he attributed to the team's inexperience in playing against lower-league opponents.

He praised Buonanotte's performance, stating that he improved significantly in the second half, and that the team's tactical adjustments at halftime were crucial to their success.

Maresca emphasized the importance of gaining experience from playing against teams from lower divisions, particularly in the Carabao Cup, and felt that this game would be beneficial for the team's development.

He noted that the win was a positive outcome, both in terms of the result and the experience gained by the players.