Alejandro Garnacho emerged as Chelsea’s match winner as Enzo Maresca’s side overcame stubborn resistance from league one leaders Cardiff City to secure a 3-1 victory and a place in the EFL Cup semi finals.
With Maresca making 11 changes from the weekend Premier League win over Everton, Chelsea looked disjointed in the opening period. Cardiff, roared on by a sold out Cardiff City Stadium, played with confidence and energy, pressing high and unsettling their illustrious visitors.
The hosts carved out the better chances before the break. Isaak Davies wasted a golden opportunity when clean through, while Filip Jorgensen was forced into a sharp save after a dangerous deflection off Moises Caicedo. Chelsea’s only real threat came when Marc Guiu was slipped in by Caicedo, but goalkeeper Nathan Trott blocked well at his near post.
Recognizing the need for change, Maresca introduced Joao Pedro and Garnacho at halftime, a decision that transformed the contest. Chelsea immediately looked sharper, moving the ball with greater purpose and pinning Cardiff deeper.
The breakthrough arrived in the 57th minute following a Cardiff error. Facundo Buonanotte intercepted a loose pass and fed Garnacho, who kept his composure to guide a low finish into the far corner for his third goal of the season.
Chelsea appeared in control, but Cardiff refused to fold. With 15 minutes remaining, Perry Ng delivered an inviting cross, and David Turnbull timed his run perfectly to power a header past Jorgensen, igniting the home crowd and briefly swinging momentum back to the Bluebirds.
The sense of a potential upset lingered, yet Chelsea’s bench proved decisive once again. In the 82nd minute, Pedro Neto drove inside and fired a low shot that took a slight deflection off Joel Bagan, wrong footing Trott and restoring Chelsea’s lead.
As Cardiff pushed forward in search of another equalizer, spaces opened up. Garnacho exploited them in stoppage time, bursting into the area and finishing confidently to seal the result and complete his brace.
While Chelsea’s rotated starting XI struggled for long spells, the impact of their substitutes underlined the squad depth at Maresca’s disposal. For Cardiff, the scoreline was harsh on a brave and organized display that tested a Premier League heavyweight.
Ultimately, Chelsea avoided a cup upset, eliminated the competition’s last remaining non top flight side and moved one set closer to ending their wait for a domestic trophy as they booked their place in the EFL Cup’s final four.
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Alejandro Garnacho emerged as Chelsea’s match winner as Enzo Maresca’s side overcame stubborn resistance from league one leaders Cardiff City to secure a 3-1 victory and a place in the EFL Cup semi finals.