Chelsea Edge Past Cardiff, Reach League Cup Semis as Maresca Seeks Relief
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca received a much-needed boost as his team fought past third-tier Cardiff City 3-1 to secure a spot in the League Cup semi-finals. The Italian coach had faced intense scrutiny after making a public outburst about lacking support from the club's hierarchy. The match was a closely contested affair, with Cardiff pushing the Blues hard in the Welsh capital. However, Chelsea's youngsters showed resilience and determination to overcome the League One leaders. Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in the 57th minute, but Cardiff equalized through David Turnbull's powerful header in the 75th minute. Chelsea responded strongly, with Pedro Neto and Garnacho scoring in the closing stages to seal a 3-1 victory. The win is a welcome tonic for Maresca, who had been under pressure following his recent comments. The Italian coach had expressed his frustration with the lack of support from the club's hierarchy, sparking speculation about his relationship with the team's owners and sporting directors. Chelsea's victory over Cardiff was their second in six games across all competitions. The team is now bidding to win the League Cup for the first time since 2015. Their next challenge comes in the Premier League, where they face Newcastle on Saturday. The win has given Maresca's team a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their Premier League match. The Italian coach had made 11 changes to his starting lineup, with Cole Palmer rested and Moises Caicedo returning from suspension. The team's performance was marked by a mix of youth and experience, with Garnacho and Neto making significant contributions to the victory. Chelsea's semi-final opponents will be determined in the coming days, with Manchester City hosting Brentford and Newcastle facing Fulham. The Blues will look to build on their momentum and secure a spot in the final of the League Cup.
