Try GOLD - Free
Chelsea survive Cardiff scare to make semi-finals
The Independent
|December 17, 2025
Alejandro Garnacho scored twice off the bench as Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 victory at Cardiff.
Cardiff City 1
Turnbull (75)
Chelsea 3
Garnacho (57, 90+3), Neto (82)
Substitutes Garnacho and Pedro Neto struck second-half goals as Chelsea unleashed the power of their bench against their Welsh hosts.
David Turnbull had equalised after 75 minutes - his first goal for 13 months to give renewed hope to the last EFL team in the competition.
But Neto spared Chelsea's blushes eight minutes from time with a low drive and Garnacho put the seal on victory for the five-time winners in stoppage time.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca changed the entire line-up from the team that had started Saturday's home victory over Everton.
Moises Caicedo returned after serving a three-game domestic ban, and Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro, Neto and Garnacho were among those on a bench that cost nearly £400m and considerably more than the starting XI.
This story is from the December 17, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
I've had a tough year – but high trees take a lot of wind
Three-time WDC champion Michael van Gerwen explains to Luke Baker he is ready to erase his horrific 2025, on and off the oche, and show Luke Littler who is the true world's best
5 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Snicko chief takes blame for slip that saved Carey's neck
Australia reached 326-8 on day one of third Ashes Test after operator error helped Alex Carey record a crucial century
2 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
How a resurgent Isis spread its tentacles far and wide
As its links with the Bondi gunmen are investigated, author Peter Neumann explores how the terror group has evolved, and why we should be worried by its chilling new call to arms
4 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
How the pain of addiction stalked the Reiner family
The younger son of the beloved film director Rob Reiner has been charged with murdering his parents. Katie Rosseinsky charts the harrowing buildup to a real-life Hollywood tragedy
7 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Erasmus breakthrough shows the route back from Brexit
One of the hidden costs of Brexit was that Britain put itself at a disadvantage with EU negotiators by starting from a position of: “We don’t like you.”
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Cherki rocket proves he's more than just tribute act
Take Erling Haaland out of the team and Manchester City still had two of his trademark celebrations.
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Doctors direct chants at Streeting as walkout begins
Resident doctors claimed there is a sense that “the system is breaking” as they started a five-day strike in England due to an ongoing row over jobs and pay.
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Public is losing patience with striking doctors
Taken literally, the British Medical Association's demand for resident doctors' pay to be restored to 2008 levels would require an immediate 26 per cent rise, at a cost to the Treasury of some £700m.
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
It's time to pull the plug on Emily's insipid adventures
Minnie Driver brings a much-needed injection of camp self-awareness to the fifth season of 'Emily in Paris' - but she still can't save this sterile show from itself says Katie Rosseinsky
3 mins
December 18, 2025
The Independent
Trump chief of staff says he has ‘alcoholic’s personality’
Donald Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles has given a brutal review of the president in a major new interview, saying he has an “alcoholic’s personality”.
4 mins
December 18, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size