Chelsea have edged past League One side Cardiff City 3-1 in a tense Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.
Cardiff City started brightly and caused problems for Chelsea’s defense in the first half, but neither side created many chances in front of goal. The game remained goalless going into the break.
Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 57th minute through substitute Alejandro Garnacho, who replaced Marc Guiu at halftime, after Facundo Buonanotte intercepted the ball in midfield and slipped it to for the former Manchester United man to slot it in.
Cardiff City responded brilliantly and leveled the score in the 75th minute through David Turnbull’s header. Perry Ng crossed the ball into a dangerous area for Turnbull to head into the top corner after losing Malo Gusto.
The match seemed set for extra time before Pedro Neto gave Chelsea the lead in the 82nd minute with a low, hard strike into the bottom corner. Just as the League One side were going for another leveller, Garnacho sealed the win with his second and Chelsea’s third in stoppage time.
The win sends Chelsea through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals for the 17th time in their history.
Cardiff City vs Chelsea Player Ratings
| Cardiff City Player Ratings | Chelsea Player Ratings |
|---|---|
| N. Trott – 5 | F. Jörgensen – 7 |
| P. Ng – 6.5 | J. Acheampong – 6 |
| D. Lawlor – 6 | T. Adarabioyo – 5 |
| C. Chambers – 6 | B. Badiashile – 6.5 |
| J. Bagan – 6.5 | J. Hato – 7 |
| R. Wintle – 7 | M. Caicedo – 6.5 |
| D. Turnbull – 8 | A. Santos – 6.5 |
| J. Colwill – 6 | T. George – 6 |
| I. Davies – 5.5 | F. Buonanotte – 7.5 |
| C. Ashford – 6 | J. Gittens – 5 |
| C. Robinson – 5.5 | M. Guiu – 6 |
| Y. Salech – 6 | A. Garnacho – 9 |
| C. Willock – 6 | J. Pedro – 7 |
| A. Robertson – 6 | P. Neto – 8.5 |
| W. Fish – 5.5 | M. Gusto – 7 |
| T. Chalobah – 6 |
