Late goals from Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho send Chelsea into the Carabao Cup semi-finals
Chelsea edged through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a nervy 3–1 victory over Cardiff City, surviving a late scare before asserting their Premier League pedigree in the closing moments.
For much of the night at a packed Cardiff City Stadium, the contest simmered between control and chaos. When Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in the first half, Chelsea appeared on course for a straightforward evening. The winger celebrated with exaggerated smiles alongside Facundo Buonanotte, a moment of levity that briefly masked the tension surrounding Enzo Maresca’s side.
Chelsea dominated possession early and moved the ball with confidence, despite Maresca making wholesale changes from the weekend league win over Everton. Garnacho’s opener came after sustained pressure, a calm finish that settled the visiting supporters and hinted at smooth progression.
But football rarely follows the script, particularly in cup competition. Cardiff, leaders of League One, refused to fade. The hosts grew in belief as the second half wore on, feeding off a crowd desperate for a famous night. With 15 minutes remaining, that belief exploded into life.
David Turnbull launched himself at a pinpoint cross and powered a diving header past the Chelsea goalkeeper, sending the stadium into rapture. The noise was thunderous, the kind rarely heard in Cardiff in recent years, and suddenly Chelsea’s grip on the tie looked fragile.
The equaliser reignited questions that have hovered over Maresca in recent days. Had Cardiff completed the upset, scrutiny on Chelsea’s direction would have intensified. Instead, the visitors steadied themselves when it mattered most.
Pedro Neto delivered the decisive blow late on, finding space and finishing with authority to restore Chelsea’s lead. The goal sucked the life out of the home crowd and tilted the balance firmly back towards the favourites.
Deep into stoppage time, Garnacho struck again, sealing the result and sparing Chelsea from any lingering embarrassment. The final scoreline flattered the visitors slightly, but it ensured safe passage to the last four and extinguished Cardiff’s hopes of a historic semi-final appearance.
Despite the victory, Maresca cut a restrained figure on the touchline. His expression remained stern even as his players celebrated. Afterwards, he played down any suggestion of tension, insisting his focus had already shifted to Chelsea’s next challenge.
He explained that his subdued mood owed more to the long coach journey back to Cobham than the match itself. Preparation, he said, would immediately begin for the upcoming fixture against Newcastle, leaving little time for reflection.
Maresca also dismissed speculation about discussions with club executives following his cryptic remarks after the Everton win. He said his attention remained firmly on football matters, moving directly from one opponent to the next.
Chelsea supporters offered vocal backing late on, chanting Maresca’s name as the final whistle approached. The manager acknowledged the support with appreciation, describing moments like this as reminders of why cup football can be both treacherous and rewarding.
He praised his players for navigating a potentially dangerous tie, pointing out how easily top-flight teams can slip against lower-league opposition. Focus, discipline and patience, he said, were essential in matches where momentum can shift in an instant.
For Cardiff, the night ended in disappointment but not without pride. They tested one of England’s biggest clubs, rattled them briefly, and reminded everyone why cup competitions remain fertile ground for drama.
For Chelsea, progress brings relief more than triumph. Another semi-final awaits, but the memory of Cardiff’s roar will linger as a warning of how thin the margins can be when confidence wavers.
