Danny Welbeck marked his Chelsea debut with a goal as the Blues beat Luton Town 2-0 to reach the League Cup third round, while Fulham also advanced with a 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.
Welbeck headed Chelsea in front shortly after half-time, meeting Malo Gusto’s cross with a powerful finish for his first goal since joining the club.
Xabi Alonso named a strong starting XI for his first competitive home match in charge. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and captain Reece James all started as Chelsea dominated possession at Stamford Bridge.
Luton, however, frustrated the hosts for long periods. Palmer and Estevao missed chances before Rogers struck the crossbar just before half-time.
Chelsea finally broke through after the interval. Welbeck’s header changed the game and gave the hosts greater control.
Estevao then sealed the victory with 10 minutes remaining. The Brazilian winger weaved into the penalty area and struck towards goal, although the goal eventually went down as an own goal by Luton defender Hakeem Odoffin.
Chelsea will now face Leeds United in the third round.
Alonso refused to discuss the futures of Enzo Fernandez and Emiliano Martinez before and after the match. Fernandez was absent from the squad amid reports linking him with Manchester City, while Martinez remains linked with a move from Aston Villa to Chelsea.
“Happy with the energy and the attitude of the players,” Alonso said. “The crowd, as well, has been great. We need them for the whole season.”
Fulham also secured their place in the next round with a comfortable victory over Wimbledon at Craven Cottage.
Emile Smith Rowe opened the scoring with a first-half header from Kenny Tete’s cross. Rodrigo Muniz then doubled Fulham’s lead before half-time, heading in another Tete delivery.
Muniz’s goal ended a wait of more than a year without scoring for Fulham.
New manager Alvaro Arbeloa made 10 changes after Monday’s Premier League defeat by Chelsea and saw his reshaped side deliver his first victory.
Summer signing Gonzalo Garcia completed the win in stoppage time with his first goal for the club.
Fulham will face West Ham United in the third round.
