\n<\/p>\n
Chelsea’s substitute appearances made a difference on Tuesday as wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto scored second-half goals as they secured a 3-1 win over third-tier Cardiff City and a place in the English League Cup semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca started the quarter-final first leg with a predominantly second-team lineup, but needed some of his first-team stars to avoid an upset in south Wales.<\/p>\n
Garnacho was one of two attackers brought on at the start of the second half and took the lead in the 57th minute when a defensive error resulted in a low shot into the top corner.<\/p>\n
Cardiff equalized in the 75th minute through David Turnbull, but they regained the lead seven minutes later when Neto curled a low deflected shot into the corner, before Garnacho grabbed his second goal of the game in stoppage time.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes you have to start the game, and sometimes you have to help from the bench,” Garnacho said. Joined from Manchester United<\/span> In August. “We’re not focused on this, we’re just trying to help the team.”<\/p>\n Maresca said there was a “huge difference” after the substitution.<\/p>\n “In the second half, we handled the ball much better,” said the Italian.<\/p>\n Chelsea aim to win their third cup since Maresca arrived in the summer of 2024, and have reached the semi-finals for the third time in five years. Last season, they won the European Conference League and the Club World Cup.<\/p>\n At a press conference over the weekend, Maresca said<\/span> The player endured the worst 48 hours of his time at Chelsea last weekend, expressing his frustration at the club’s lack of support without going into details.<\/p>\n Chelsea went without a win in four games in all competitions, but they defeated Everton 2-0 in the Premier League and advanced to the cup semi-finals.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Manchester City host Brentford, while Fulham face defending champions Newcastle.<\/p>\n The quarter-finals conclude next week when Arsenal host Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Steve Douglas is https:\/\/twitter.com\/sdouglas80<\/span><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nQuarterfinal lineup<\/h2>\n