Match Report: Chelsea get firing in second half to beat Cardiff 3-1 in EFL Cup quarter-final | OneFootball

Chelsea brought on the big guns in the second half and beat Cardiff 3-1 in the EFL Quarter Final last night.

Enzo Maresca risked a fully rotated team to start the game, only drawing for some first team stars at half time when the Blues were looking in trouble.

A balanced first half saw Chelsea defend well but offer little in possession, as the impressive home team strung long periods of possession together. There was frustratingly little tempo or movement off the ball, and Jamie Gittens was particularly disappointing on the left wing, refusing to take on his lower league opposite number.

After the break, and early goal broke the tense game open. Cardiff’s first major error in possession cost them, as Facundo Buonanotte pounced on a loose pass and played in Alejandro Garnacho to score.

Cardiff didn’t give up – they kept playing well and finally got their reward with a headed goal in the second phase after a set piece. But by then Chelsea had even more quality on the pitch, and it was the in form Pedro Neto who got on the end of a swift counter to put him team in the lead again.

With the Bluebirds desperate for a goal to take the game to penalties, Maresca’s men raced forward in extra time and Garnacho got a second goal to seal the win and put his team into the semis. They’ll need to play a lot better than this, but we expect a very different team for that game too.

MOTM – Alejandro Garnacho

Analysis

Alejandro Garnacho sits on an advertising board to celebrate.

This would have been a good performance against a Premier League team. Chelsea played a solid first half, kept Cardiff’s possession away from their goal, then struck with three goals in the second half to win the game.

The goal they conceded was really from what Maresca called an “individual action,” and largely the Welsh side were contained. Of course they’re not Premier League opposition – they’re from League One. But this was a heavily rotated Chelsea team to start the game, so we can forgive them their rust.

One day soon, however, we’re going to need a second string that can play at a far higher level than this when called upon. Our cup opposition is only getting tougher from here.

Teams

Cardiff

Nathan Trott Perry Ng Dylan Lawlor Calum Chambers Joel Bagan Ryan Wintle Cian Ashford Joel Colwill David Turnbull Isaak Davies Callum Robinson

Substitutes Matthew Turner Luey Giles William Fish (s 90′) Dakarai Mafico Alex Robertson (s 80′) Axel Donczew Tanatswa Nyakuhwa Chris Willock (s 56′) Yousef Salech (s 56′)

Chelsea

Filip Jorgensen Josh Acheampong Tosin Adarabioyo Benoit Badiashile Jorrel Hato Andrey Santos Moises Caicedo Tyrique George Facundo Buonanotte Jamie Bynoe-Gittens Marc Guiu

Substitutes Robert Sanchez Trevoh Chalobah (s 84′) Wesley Fofana Malo Gusto (s 66′) Reece James Enzo Fernandez Alejandro Garnacho (s 46′) Pedro Neto (s 66′) Joao Pedro (s 46′)

Stats

Quote of the game

“I am very happy” – Enzo Maresca sounding not very happy at all after the game.