Alejandro Garnacho scored twice and Pedro Neto grabbed the crucial second as Chelsea came from behind in the second half to beat spirited League One side Cardiff City 3-1 and reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Enzo Maresca made 11 changes from the weekend win over Everton, fielding a much-rotated side that struggled for rhythm in a goalless first half at Cardiff City Stadium.
The hosts, top of the third tier, impressed with disciplined pressing and threatened through Isaak Davies, whose cross nearly deflected in off Moises Caicedo.
Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott denied Marc Guiu early on, while Benoit Badiashile headed over for the visitors. Maresca responded at half-time by introducing Garnacho and Joao Pedro, instantly injecting pace and purpose.
The breakthrough came just before the hour when Dylan Lawlor’s loose pass allowed Facundo Buonanotte to release Garnacho, who coolly slotted into the bottom corner. Chelsea looked set to pull clear but were pegged back in the 75th minute as David Turnbull rose highest to head Perry Ng’s cross beyond Filip Jorgensen.
The equaliser electrified the home crowd, sensing a potential upset against the Club World Cup holders. Yet Chelsea’s quality told, with substitute Neto restoring the lead seven minutes later via a deflected low drive that wrong-footed Trott.
Garnacho then sealed victory in stoppage time, latching onto Joao Pedro’s pass to chip elegantly over the advancing keeper and complete his brace. The result spared Maresca further scrutiny after recent frustrations and booked a semi-final spot, where Chelsea will discover their opponents in Wednesday’s draw.
Cardiff exit with heads high, having pushed Premier League opposition all the way in an entertaining quarter-final tie.
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