Chelsea booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after late goals from substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto sealed a hard-fought 3-1 victory over League One leaders Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
In a match that tested the depth and mentality of Enzo Maresca’s heavily rotated side, Chelsea were pushed to the limit before quality from the bench made the decisive difference in the final stages.
Chelsea Rotation Tested by Spirited Cardiff
With one eye on Premier League commitments, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca made wholesale changes to the starting XI that had beaten Everton at the weekend. The Italian opted to trust youth and squad players, leaving a star-studded bench valued at nearly £400 million.
Despite the gulf in divisions, Cardiff City played with confidence and intensity, pressing high and matching Chelsea physically in the opening stages. The hosts, four points clear at the top of League One, looked every bit a side full of belief and momentum.
Chelsea dominated possession but struggled to convert control into clear-cut chances. Cardiff goalkeeper Jak Alnwick Trott produced a series of confident saves, while the home defence remained compact and disciplined.
Maresca Turns to the Bench
Recognising the need for greater attacking urgency, Maresca made a bold double substitution early in the second half, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto. The impact was immediate.
Chelsea began to stretch Cardiff’s back line, increasing tempo and width. The pressure finally told in the 57th minute when Garnacho capitalised on a defensive error.
Cardiff defender Dylan Lawlor was caught in possession inside his own half, allowing Garnacho to pounce, drive forward, and calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper to give Chelsea a deserved lead.
Turnbull Sparks Cardiff Hope
Just as Chelsea appeared to be gaining full control, Cardiff responded with resilience. With 15 minutes remaining, David Turnbull rose highest in the box to head home an equaliser, sending the home crowd into celebration.
The goal marked Turnbull’s first in 13 months and reignited belief that Cardiff could pull off a remarkable upset as the final remaining EFL club in the competition.
For a brief spell, Chelsea looked vulnerable as Cardiff pushed forward with renewed energy, sensing history within reach.
Quality Tells in the Closing Stages
However, Chelsea’s superior depth ultimately proved decisive. Pedro Neto restored the Blues’ lead with a composed finish following sustained pressure, silencing the Cardiff City Stadium.
As the hosts committed men forward in search of another equaliser, spaces opened up at the back. Garnacho exploited those gaps brilliantly, sealing the win with his second goal late on to confirm Chelsea’s passage into the semi-finals.
The Argentine winger’s performance off the bench earned him the Player of the Match award and highlighted Chelsea’s growing strength in depth.
Player Performances and Standouts
Garnacho stole the headlines, but several Chelsea players delivered solid performances. Moises Caicedo, returning from a three-game domestic suspension, controlled midfield proceedings with aut