Chelsea secured a 3-1 victory over League One outfit Cardiff City in the quarter-finals of the League Cup on Tuesday night.
The Blues’ arch nemesis Callum Robinson was presented with the game’s first real chance, but his weak header didn’t trouble Filip Jorgensen in goal.
Minutes later, Benoit Badiashile saw his long-range effort flash wide from a well-worked short corner.
Just past the half-hour mark, the host lost possession to Facundo Buonanotte in a dangerous position, with the Argentine slipping Tyrique George through on goal, but Joel Bagan made a last-ditch block to fend off the attacker’s shot.
Moments later, Isaak Davies was found with a long ball over the top, but his half volley was blasted well off target.
On the half-hour mark, Moises Caicedo found Marc Guiu, but his low shot from a tight angle was saved by the leg of Nathan Trott.
Just before the break, Davies’ attempted cross took a slight deflection off Caicedo and headed goalwards, but Jorgensen got low and parried the shot away.
Enzo Maresca made two changes at the break, bringing on Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro for George and Guiu.
In the 53rd minute, Garnacho almost broke the deadlock after he was found by Buonanotte with a teasing run from the halfway line, and the winger’s effort was saved by Trott’s legs.
Minutes later, Garnacho gave the visitors the lead after Buonanotte intercepted Dylan Lawlor’s pass and slipped the ball to the Argentine on the left, who fired past Trott in off the far post.
Buonanotte almost doubled the Blues’ advantage after João Pedro’s shot was blocked in his path, but his curling effort was tipped over the bar by Trott.
Moments later, Malo Gusto almost forced a Bagan own goal, with Santos and Garnacho also seeing their efforts blocked.
Turnbull drew the Bluebirds level after he met Perry Ng’s well-placed cross with a diving header, leaving Jorgensen with no chance.
Seven minutes later, Neto restored the visitors’ lead after Santos found him at the right in a congested box, and the Portuguese’s shot took a slight deflection off Bagan and arrowed into the bottom corner.
Deep into stoppage time, João Pedro found Garnacho with a long ball over the top, and the Argentine finished calmly past Bryony Trott to seal Chelsea’s place in the last four of the League Cup.