Chelsea navigated a potential banana skin in South Wales on Tuesday night, relying on second-half substitutes to overcome a spirited Cardiff City 3-1 and book their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals.
For head coach Enzo Maresca, the victory provided a necessary tonic following a turbulent few days. After claiming he had endured the “worst” 48 hours of his tenure despite a weekend victory over Everton, the Italian watched his heavily rotated side struggle against the League One leaders before quality ultimately told.
A brace from Alejandro Garnacho and a deflected strike from Pedro Neto ensured the reigning Club World Cup champions progressed, though the scoreline arguably flattered the visitors after a contest that remained uncomfortable for long stretches.
Substitutes spare Chelsea’s blushes
Maresca’s decision to change his entire starting XI from the weekend’s Premier League action nearly backfired. The “B” unit, despite featuring the likes of £100m midfielder Moises Caicedo, produced a sterile first-half performance that failed to trouble the third-tier hosts.
Recognising the lethargy, Maresca introduced Garnacho and Joao Pedro at the interval—a move that immediately injected urgency into the Chelsea attack.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart when Cardiff centre-back Dylan Lawlor surrendered possession, allowing Facundo Buonanotte to feed Garnacho. The former Manchester United winger made no mistake, firing the visitors ahead.
However, Brian Barry-Murphy’s Cardiff, backed by a deafening capacity crowd, refused to wilt. They found a deserved equaliser when David Turnbull met Perry Ng’s inviting cross with a superb header, sparking wild celebrations and momentarily raising the spectre of a giant-killing.
Chelsea’s response, however, was clinical. Pedro Neto restored the lead with a low drive that took a wicked deflection off Joel Bagan, before Garnacho added a third in stoppage time to gloss over the cracks of the performance.
Analysis: Depth masks structural issues
While the result goes down as a win, the manner of the victory offers Maresca plenty to ponder. The disparity between Chelsea’s first and second-string units was stark. Until the introduction of first-team regulars, the Blues lacked penetration and cohesion against opposition two divisions below them.
“This was a welcome result – if an unconvincing display – after a difficult few days for Maresca,” the report noted, highlighting that while the bench—valued at nearly £400m—eventually saved the day, the starting XI’s inability to control the game is a concern as the fixture list congests.
Chelsea are now just two games away from a Wembley final, aiming to lift the League Cup for the first time in a decade.
Cardiff’s cultural reset
For Cardiff City, defeat ended a cup run that had already claimed the scalps of Burnley and Wrexham. Yet, the performance served as a validation of Barry-Murphy’s tactical overhaul.
Gone is the direct, attritional football of the Neil Warnock and Mick McCarthy eras. In its place is a possession-based, high-pressing style driven by academy graduates. Despite the loss, the Bluebirds impressed with their positional discipline and ability to play through the lines against elite opposition.
Cardiff will now turn their attention back to League One, where they sit top of the table, emboldened by a display that suggests an immediate return to the Championship is well within their grasp.
What’s Next:
Chelsea await the semi-final draw, which takes place on Wednesday evening.
Key Match Stats
- Score: Cardiff City 1 – 3 Chelsea
- Scorers: Turnbull (Cardiff); Garnacho x2, Neto (Chelsea)
- Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
- Competition: EFL Cup Quarter-Final
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