Chelsea battled into the Carabao Cup semi finals with a nervy 3-1 victory over a dogged Cardiff City side at the Cardiff City Stadium, but they were pushed all the way by the League One leaders.
Enzo Maresca’s Blues were frustrated for large periods before substitute Alejandro Garnacho broke the deadlock just before the hour, finishing coolly after Facundo Buonanotte’s neat pass. But the Championship side, who gave as good as they got, hit back with 15 minutes to go when David Turnbull powered home a superb header to level.
For a moment, a major upset was on the cards. But Chelsea’s quality told in the closing stages. Pedro Neto restored the lead with a driven effort in the 84th minute, before Garnacho sealed it in stoppage time, latching onto a through ball to slot home his second and kill off a brave Cardiff fightback.
“We knew it would be tough here, they are a very good side and made it difficult,” Maresca said afterwards. “But the reaction after their goal was important. The boys showed character.”
The win books Chelsea’s place in tonight’s semi final draw, which will be held live on Sky Sports after the Newcastle vs Fulham tie concludes. The first legs are set for the week of January 12th, 2026.
They’ll be joined by the winners of next week’s delayed quarter final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, with both clubs already in the hat as a single ball number. For now, Chelsea can breathe a sigh of relief their cup run lives on, but they were given a serious scare in Wales.
