Chelsea booked a place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 win over League One leaders Cardiff City at a raucous Cardiff City Stadium, with second-half substitutes having a decisive impact in a frenetic quarter-final clash.
Cheered on by a packed and enthusiastic crowd, Cardiff kept pace with their Premier League opponents throughout the long game and produced an impressive and fearless display, particularly in a goalless first half, showing discipline both in and out of possession.
Maresca feels change after ‘worst 48 hours’
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made 11 changes to his squad for Saturday’s Premier League win over Everton, but the game was overshadowed by his admission after the game that his 48 hours at the club had been the “worst”.
Despite the heavy rotation, Maresca was able to field a strong squad, including bringing back £100m midfielder Moises Caicedo, while his substitute bench alone was estimated to be worth nearly £400m.
However, Chelsea struggled with a subdued first half and an underwhelming opening 45 minutes did little to ease the Italian international’s frustrations.
Substitutes change the flow
Unimpressed with his team’s performance, Maresca made two substitutions at half-time, bringing on Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro, which immediately changed the course of the game.
Garnacho immediately provided pace and purpose, forcing Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott to make a fine save and eventually breaking the deadlock.
Chelsea took the lead when Cardiff centre-back Dylan Lawler won the ball, Facundo Buonanotte sliding through and Garnacho scoring to put the visitors ahead.
Cardiff fight back as stadium explodes
Rather than fold, Brian Barry-Murphy’s side responded with belief and intensity.
Their pressure paid off as Perry Ng sent in a great left-footed cross from the right flank, which was met by David Turnbull with a superb diving header to level the score.
The goal sparked deafening jubilation in the stadium and briefly raised hopes of another famous cup upset for Cardiff, who had already eliminated Burnley and Wrexham earlier in the competition.
Neto restores Chelsea’s lead
The hosts’ joy did not last long. Chelsea’s other substitute, Pedro Neto, restored the visiting side’s lead with a solid, low drive that deflected slightly off Joel Bagan’s heel and into the bottom corner.
Chelsea then added their second goal of the night with Garnacho scoring again late in stoppage time to seal victory and ease the frenzied atmosphere at home.
Maresca: “These are the games that made me fall in love with the players”
After the final whistle, Maresca celebrated with traveling Chelsea supporters and was serenaded as fans sang his name, a stark contrast to the intense scrutiny he faced just days earlier.
Maresca said, “I’m just happy. We’re going to play in another semifinal. I think that’s something that the fans deserve.”
“It was a great moment and I’m grateful, I’ll always be grateful.”
“There were moments when we didn’t win a game and they weren’t happy, but that’s normal. But overall, the fans are always there.”
“These games make me fall in love with the players even more because you can’t imagine how easily they slip and slide because they are tricky games.
“Every season there are teams that lose to League Two and League One. We need to be careful and we need to do the right thing.”
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‘I haven’t talked to anyone’ – Maresca denies speculation
Maresca also touched on the influence of his comments after the Everton game, and admitted he has not spoken to anyone at Chelsea since then.
“No, as I said yesterday (Monday), the day after Everton I started preparing for Cardiff. Focus on Cardiff,” he said.
“I just said on the bus that I was going to watch (Saturday’s opponents) Newcastle and I didn’t talk to anyone. I didn’t. No, I’m fine.”
“I’ve always said I’m happy from day one. So it doesn’t mean I’m not happy tonight. I’m happy.”
“I have three hours until I get to Cobham, so I’m planning to watch two Newcastle games.”
“We don’t have time. It’s time for the players. As a staff, we’re focused on the next game, against Newcastle, so we’ll prepare.”
Maresca also revealed that Brazilian winger Esteban will miss the next game against Newcastle due to a “minor muscle problem”.
Cardiff receive praise despite departure
Despite losing, Cardiff’s performance drew widespread praise. Under Barry Murphy, the League One leaders have moved away from the solid, direct style of their previous era and are now playing a possession-based, attacking brand of football driven by young players and academy graduates.
They impressed defensively with their coordinated pressing and positional discipline, but also posed a real attacking threat.
Callum Robinson and Turnbull tested Chelsea early on, while Isaac Davies caused problems on the left.
chelsea march on
Chelsea will now await their EFL Cup semi-final opponents, with the draw set to take place on Wednesday.
Although it was far from a convincing performance, the result was a welcome relief for Maresca after a tumultuous few days and kept Chelsea’s hopes of winning their first trophy in 10 years alive.
