Chelsea secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City.
The Premier League side weathered a spirited fightback from the League One leaders in a dramatic quarter-final encounter on Tuesday evening.
With no VAR in operation, the closing stages were tense, with Cardiff throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser that would have forced a penalty shootout.
The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute, though it came through Cardiff’s own misfortune rather than Chelsea’s brilliance.
Centre-back Dylan Lawlor played a pass directly to Facundo Buonanotte, gifting the Argentine midfielder a clear path through the middle of the pitch.
Buonanotte carried the ball forward before sliding it across to Alejandro Garnacho on the left side of the penalty area.
The forward made no mistake, slotting past goalkeeper Nathan Trott to give the visitors the lead.
It was a cruel blow for the hosts, who had matched their Premier League opponents throughout a goalless first half and created several promising opportunities.
Alejandro Garnacho scored the opener in the second half
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Cardiff’s response was emphatic and spectacular in equal measure.
In the 75th minute, Perry Ng cut onto his left foot on the right flank and delivered an exceptional cross into the penalty area.
David Turnbull timed his run perfectly, diving to meet the ball with a header that flew beyond Filip Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal from around 10 yards out.
The Cardiff City Stadium erupted as the League One side drew level against their top-flight opponents.
David Turnbull scored the leveller with a superb header
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The parity lasted just seven minutes before Chelsea struck again.
Pedro Neto, introduced from the bench alongside Malo Gusto in the 66th minute, collected the ball on the right side of the box and fired a first-time shot towards the far corner.
The effort took a deflection off Joel Bagan before nestling in the net, leaving Trott with little chance of making the save.
It proved a devastating blow for Cardiff, who had been pushing forward in search of a winner rather than settling for penalties.
Pedro Neto scored the winner
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Turnbull came agonisingly close to a second equaliser in the 84th minute, his bouncing effort clipping the top of the crossbar.
But it was Garnacho who sealed the win with the Argentinian capitalising on Cardiff’s aggressive approach for a winner.
The Club World Champions have now progressed to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup as Maresca and his side look to get their hands on silverware.
They will face one of Manchester City, Brentford, Newcastle, Fulham, Arsenal or Crystal Palace.
