Chelsea narrowly avoided an upset in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, defeating Cardiff City 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals. The Premier League side had to rely on a late surge and a brace from Alejandro Garnacho to overcome a resilient Cardiff outfit.

The match remained goalless for much of the first half, with both teams struggling to assert dominance. Chelsea, despite fielding a strong squad, appeared sluggish and lacked creativity, failing to break down Cardiff’s organized defense.

Cardiff themselves posed a threat, demonstrating their capability to compete at this level. They managed to equalize with just 15 minutes remaining, a testament to their determination and tactical discipline throughout the encounter.

However, the introduction of substitutes proved decisive for Chelsea. Alejandro Garnacho injected much-needed energy and flair into the attack, scoring twice in the second half to secure Chelsea’s progression. His goals came at crucial moments, breaking the deadlock and then sealing the victory in stoppage time.

Pedro Neto also played a pivotal role, scoring Chelsea’s second goal with less than ten minutes left on the clock. His strike, albeit deflected, restored Chelsea’s lead and ultimately proved to be the match-winner.

Despite the victory, several Chelsea players received less than stellar ratings, indicating areas for improvement. Some individuals struggled to make a significant impact, highlighting the team’s inconsistent performance over the 90 minutes.

Filip Jorgensen, making his first start since October, made a couple of crucial saves to keep Chelsea in contention during the first half. He demonstrated competence between the posts, a positive sign for the team’s goalkeeping options.

Defensively, Josh Acheampong showed early aggression but was caught out on occasion. Tosin Adarabioyo had a quiet game, while Benoit Badiashile’s performance was marred by a sloppy pass leading to a chance for the opposition.

Midfielders Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo, both returning to the lineup, provided valuable contributions. Caicedo delivered a superb pass that could have led to a goal, showcasing his playmaking ability after serving a suspension.

Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte, both starting, showed flashes of promise but were largely ineffective in the first half, with George substituted at the break. Buonanotte, however, improved significantly in the second half, setting up Garnacho’s opening goal.

Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu, who also started, struggled to make a decisive impact and were both substituted at halftime. Guiu had one notable chance but couldn’t convert, while Gittens’ attempts to create were often thwarted.

The substitutions made by manager Enzo Maresca proved to be a turning point. Joao Pedro, introduced in the second half, played a key role in the build-up to Neto’s winning goal, demonstrating his value as an impact player.

Ultimately, Chelsea navigated a potential cup upset, but the performance exposed vulnerabilities. The team will need to find greater consistency and individual brilliance to progress further in the competition and their domestic league campaign.

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Keywords: Chelsea player ratings, Cardiff City, Carabao Cup, Alejandro Garnacho, League Cup quarter-final, Chelsea vs Cardiff, football news, Premier League