Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca hailed his facet’s second-half efficiency as a much-changed Blues edged out a spirited Cardiff Metropolis group to progress to the EFL Cup semi-final.
Substitutes Alejandro Garnacho – who bagged a brace – and Pedro Neto scored the targets as Enzo Maresca’s males ran out 3-1 winners in the Welsh capital.
David Turnbull had earlier equalised for the League One leaders after Garnacho’s first earlier than the Argentine doubled his tally after Neto had restored Chelsea’s lead.
Cardiff, who have been the one group exterior the top-flight left within the competitors, made life greater than slightly tough for the Premier League outfit, and for lengthy durations within the first-half have been a lot the higher facet.
Maresca, who opted to rotate his squad for the competition, acknowledged as a lot after the sport however praised the efficiency of his gamers within the second half.
“I’m very completely happy. Particularly for the hassle of the gamers. I stated yesterday that soccer is stuffed with these tough video games so we’ve to concentrate and we did a great recreation,” the Chelsea boss instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I believe off the ball we have been fairly good, on the ball we struggled a bit to create possibilities. After which second-half we have been significantly better on the ball.
“I believe there was a giant distinction between the primary and second half.
“We have to say that Cardiff have been excellent, organised and so they have been very intense off the ball. It was tough however ultimately we did sufficient to win the sport.”
Chelsea are on the street once more on Saturday once they return to Premier League motion with a visit to St James’ Park to face Newcastle understanding a win would preserve them scorching on the heels of the highest three.
