Brian Barry-Murphy, manager of Cardiff City(Image: Getty Images)
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Brian Barry-Murphy insisted Cardiff City’s narrow Carabao Cup exit to Chelsea should be viewed as a marker, not a setback, after watching his side go toe-to-toe with elite opposition under the lights at Cardiff City Stadium.
In front of a raucous crowd of more than 33,000, the League One leaders pushed Chelsea all the way in a gripping quarter-final before eventually falling short in a 3-1 defeat, a result that left their head coach disappointed by the outcome but hugely encouraged by the performance.
“I’m very proud of the players and the effort they put in,” Barry-Murphy said.
“When you score, it’s probably the hope that kills you. I felt we were in the ascendancy at that point and had a great chance to maybe grab a winner, but it wasn’t to be.”
Cardiff matched Chelsea for long spells and grew in belief as the contest wore on, particularly after dragging themselves back into the game and threatening to swing the tie in their favour.
But the Premier League side’s depth and quality ultimately told as the visitors leaned on their bench to see the game out.
“The quality and importance of the game was evident from the beginning,” Barry-Murphy added.
“And it increased again when you saw players like Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho come on, and then Trevoh Chalobah to see the game out.
“It was a really high-level test for us, but the players gave an amazing account of themselves.”
For Barry-Murphy, the fine margins that decided the contest served as a powerful lesson for a young Cardiff squad enjoying an outstanding domestic campaign. Against opponents of Chelsea’s calibre, concentration cannot dip for a moment.
“Naturally there’s disappointment and a feeling of what might have been,” he said.
“You’re playing against individuals of the highest level, and if you don’t concentrate for every single second, they can score at any moment. Tonight, that’s what happened.
“It gives us a real insight into what it takes to play at that level.
"We believe some of our players can definitely get there. Nights like this, with that atmosphere, just leave you wanting more and fuel the desire to keep pushing and improving.”
The occasion itself was one that Barry-Murphy hopes will linger long in the memory. Cardiff City Stadium crackled throughout the evening, with the crowd roaring their side forward even as Chelsea sought to wrestle control.
“It felt electric,” he said. “We tried to be aggressive and force the pace against a top team, and the supporters were right behind us all the way.
“When we scored, I genuinely felt we could push on and win the game. We’ve no regrets — we gave it everything. On another day, it might have been enough.”
Attention now turns back to the league. Cardiff sit four points ahead at the top of League One, with Lincoln City the opponents this Saturday.