Garnacho brace inspires turnaround as Maresca’s rotated side responds to off-field tension with crucial cup victory.

Chelsea defeat Cardiff 3–1 to storm into semi-finals

Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Enzo Maresca and booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals with a 3–1 victory over Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

Facing a fired-up League One side in front of a sold-out crowd, Chelsea overcame a second-half scare to secure their second win in six games across all competitions — and a much-needed lift for their unsettled manager.

Second-half spark changes the game

After a difficult opening 45 minutes, Maresca’s decision to introduce Alejandro Garnacho proved decisive. The winger struck in the 57th minute after capitalising on a Cardiff error, calmly slotting home to break the deadlock.

Cardiff fought back through David Turnbull’s powerful header in the 75th minute, sending the home fans into a frenzy and threatening a major upset.

But Chelsea regained control as Pedro Neto restored the lead in the 82nd minute with a low deflected finish. Garnacho then wrapped up the win in stoppage time, racing into the area before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Trott.

Maresca answers critics with a result that matters

The win comes just days after Maresca’s eyebrow-raising claim that he had experienced his worst 48 hours at Stamford Bridge and lacked “support” from within the club hierarchy.

With speculation swirling, the Italian’s rotated side — featuring 11 changes — delivered a convincing response on the pitch.

Chelsea now progress to their third semi-final in 18 months, a point Maresca underlined post-match as he continues to fight for consistency and trust.

What’s next?

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to Newcastle, while the remaining quarter-finals continue on Wednesday:

  • Manchester City vs Brentford
  • Newcastle vs Fulham
  • Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (Dec 23)

Chelsea’s next League Cup opponent will be decided after the conclusion of Wednesday’s fixtures.