SECOND-half goals from substitute players Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto gave Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca a reason to be happy, as the Blues secured a 3-1 win against League One leaders Cardiff City, making it six straight victories in Carabao Cup quarter-final matches.
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Maresca had called the build-up to Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton his “worst 48 hours” as Chelsea manager, and the first half didn’t help his mood.
He started with a completely new team compared to the weekend, and the Premier League side struggled to get into a rhythm as a full Cardiff City Stadium supported the hosts strongly.
Indeed, Cardiff had the first clear chance when Isaak Davies ran onto Joel Bagan’s 23rd-minute pass, but the winger rushed his shot and hit it wide.
Cardiff’s starting line-up included five academy graduates, while Chelsea’s midfielder Moises Caicedo was signed for £115 million. The Blues captain showed his quality on the half-hour mark with a pass that freed Marc Guiu, but the home goalkeeper Nathan Trott saved with his legs at the near post, which was Chelsea’s only shot on target in the first half.
At the other end, Filip Jorgensen made a good save to push Davies’ deflected cross against the post and behind for a corner.
At half-time, Maresca introduced Joao Pedro and Garnacho, and the latter made the breakthrough 12 minutes into the second half.
Facundo Buonanotte intercepted Dylan Lawlor’s pass and set up the substitute to score in the far corner, marking his third goal of the season.