Enzo Fernandez scored his first Chelsea goal as the Blues came from behind to defeat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 and advance into the Carabao Cup third round.
With 20 minutes left to the death of the game, Enzo, who had earlier came off the bench calmly guided the ball into the bottom corner of the empty net following a defensive Wimbledon error to make it 2-1.
The first half had seen two penalties scored, one by each side to make it 1-all. Firstly James Tilley put Wimbledon in front from the spot in the 19th minute following a foul by Robert Sanchez, before Noni Madueke did the same to level matters for Chelsea before the break after he was initially fouled in the box.
Chelsea were dominant throughout this game as they enjoyed most of the possession,
After they conceded, they tried to get back a goal as quick as possible but Ian Maatsen agonizingly hit the side-netting while Madueke and Mason Burstow failed to find the target also.
At halftime, Pochettino introduced Nicholas Jackson for Moreira and the Senegalese striker almost made an instant reaction, but his effort was palmed away by Bass.
Bass also was excellent to deny Conor Gallagher, but he couldn’t deny Enzo Fernandez a few minutes after the Chelsea substitute was first to react on a poor clearance to calmly take a touch and pass into an empty net from 20 yards out. That was the Argentine first Chelsea goal since he joined the club in January.
After that goal, Chelsea could have scored more if only Bass wasn’t brilliant in the Wimbledon goal. The custodian first collected Madueke’s shot before flying in the air to parry away with Enzo and Maatsen curlers around the post.
Despite having dominated proceedings, Chelsea had to hold on in the later exchanges of the game to secure the hard-fought victory against the League Two side.
Chelsea will now battle Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round tie in the week commencing 25 September.
