Chelsea offered timely backing to head coach Enzo Maresca by overcoming a spirited challenge from third-tier Cardiff City to secure a 3–1 victory on Tuesday and progress to the League Cup semi-finals.
The Blues took the lead early in the second half of the quarter-final in the Welsh capital through Alejandro Garnacho, but were made to work hard by the League One leaders, who drew level when David Turnbull powered home a header.
With pressure mounting on Maresca following his recent public outburst, Chelsea regained control late on as Pedro Neto and Garnacho struck in the closing stages to settle the tie.
On Monday, Maresca declined to elaborate on comments made after Saturday’s 2–0 Premier League win over Everton, when he described the previous 48 hours as his worst at Stamford Bridge due to a perceived lack of “support” from “many people”.
Those remarks sparked speculation that the Italian was frustrated with Chelsea’s hierarchy, including co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, as well as sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
It has been suggested Maresca was disappointed by the absence of public backing amid criticism of his squad rotation during a recent dip in form. The Cardiff victory was only Chelsea’s second win in six matches across all competitions.
Despite the backdrop, Maresca struck a defiant tone, emphasising that his focus was firmly on results as Chelsea reached what he described as their “third semi-final in 18 months since I joined the club”, having already lifted the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League earlier this year.
Chelsea, currently eight points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, are aiming to lift the League Cup for the first time since 2015.
With Saturday’s league trip to Newcastle in mind, Maresca made 11 changes to his starting line-up, resting Cole Palmer and welcoming back Moisés Caicedo following suspension.
Cardiff, roared on by a sell-out crowd of 33,000, started brightly. Callum Robinson, who has enjoyed success against Chelsea in the past, headed an early chance straight at Filip Jorgensen, who was soon called into action again to deny Turnbull.
The hosts’ energy unsettled Chelsea, and although the visitors created openings — notably through Marc Guiu, whose effort was well saved by Nathan Trott — they looked vulnerable at the back. Jorgensen was forced into an excellent stop after Isaak Davies’ cross deflected off Caicedo.
Maresca responded at half-time by introducing Garnacho and João Pedro, a decision that quickly shifted the momentum.
Garnacho made an immediate impact in the 57th minute after Dylan Lawlor’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Facundo Buonanotte, who surged forward before teeing up the winger for a composed finish.
Chelsea were pegged back in the 75th minute when Perry Ng’s cross found Turnbull, who capitalised on slack marking to head home from close range.
The visitors responded decisively. In the 82nd minute, Neto latched onto João Pedro’s pass and fired a low shot into the far corner, via a slight deflection, to restore Chelsea’s lead.
Garnacho wrapped up the victory in stoppage time, racing into the box and delicately lifting his finish over Trott.
Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Manchester City host Brentford and Newcastle face Fulham on Wednesday, with Arsenal set to take on Crystal Palace on 23 December.
