Chelsea have become the first club to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup. The Blues certainly did not have everything their own way during Tuesday night’s clash with Cardiff, yet advanced through to the last four again under Enzo Maresca thanks largely to the impact of their substitutes. The impressive Bluebirds were on top during the first half in south Wales, yet could not beat Filip Jorgensen before Maresca - who made 11 changes from Saturday’s win over Everton - brought on Joao Pedro and Alejandro Garnacho at the interval.
Those changes quickly paid off as Facundo Buonanotte seized on a mistake from Dylan Lawlor and set up compatriot Garnacho to break the deadlock shortly before the hour mark. Cardiff hit back with 15 minutes to go, Perry Ng’s pinpoint cross from the right flank dispatched via a wonderful diving header from David Turnbull to raise hopes of a potential upset or at least the lottery of a penalty shootout.
However, Pedro Neto fired home shortly afterwards to restore Chelsea’s lead and Garnacho later added his second in stoppage time to secure a semi-final berth. Follow Cardiff vs Chelsea live below!
Cardiff vs Chelsea highlights
- GOAL! Garnacho wraps up win in stoppage time
- GOAL! Neto fires home to restore Chelsea lead
- GOAL! Turnbull equalises with brilliant diving header
- GOAL! Garnacho punishes Lawlor mistake
- Maresca sends on Garnacho and Joao Pedro at break
Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:59 , George FloodFull-time
It was far from plain sailing, but Chelsea are into another major semi-final under Enzo Maresca.
Their third appearance in the last four of the Carabao Cup in five years.
The draw is coming up tomorrow night, after Manchester City vs Brentford and Newcastle vs Fulham.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace is next week.
A fine effort from Cardiff, but EFL involvement in this competition is over for this season.
They will now focus on their Championship promotion bid.
GOAL! Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea | Alejandro Garnacho 94'
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:52 , George Flood94 mins: Game, set and match!
Garnacho is set away by Joao Pedro into the box and effortlessly lifts it beyond Trott and into the far corner.
Chelsea are surely now into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:51 , George Flood92 mins: Big penalty appeals from Cardiff in stoppage time are waved away after Andrey Santos’ challenge on Ashford.
Looked like the right call.
Now Joao Pedro slams over from close range for Chelsea.
Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:50 , George Flood90 mins: Six minutes of added time have been signalled.
Is there another late twist to come?
A reminder that there is no extra time, so another Cardiff equaliser would see this pulsating quarter-final tie go straight to penalties.
Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:48 , George Flood87 mins: Cardiff look to have run out of steam a little now in pursuit of another late equaliser.
Barry-Murphy sends on former Manchester United defender Fish for Ng.
Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:45 , George Flood83 mins: Cardiff are still not out of this as Turnbull loops an effort onto the roof of the net.
Chalobah replaces Acheampong in the Chelsea defence.
Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:44 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
Fabulous finish by Pedro Neto, who too often this month has felt the only Chelsea player capable of something a little bit special. He may have saved Chelsea here.
GOAL! Cardiff 1-2 Chelsea | Pedro Neto 82'
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:42 , George Flood82 mins: Lead restored!
More Chelsea pressure and Andrey Santos’ pass picks out Neto, whose first-time effort deflects into the far corner off Bagan.
Can Cardiff go again?
Cardiff 1-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:41 , George Flood79 mins: Cardiff are smelling an upset here but Jorgensen is just about equal to Robertson’s low effort.
He had just come on for Colwill.
Cardiff 1-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:38 , George Flood77 mins: Chelsea are almost in to quickly restore their lead, but it’s brave goalkeeping from Trott as he dives at the feet of Joao Pedro following Neto’s cutback from the byline.
He will need treatment.
Cardiff 1-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:37 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
Chelsea had been enjoying their best period of the game, but on the balance of play Cardiff will absolutely feel they deserve an equaliser. Turnbull with it.
Does the game turn from here? Chelsea must regroup and fast or risk the game going to penalties.
GOAL! Cardiff 1-1 Chelsea | David Turnbull 75'
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:34 , George Flood75 mins: There’s the equaliser!
A wonderful cross from Ng from the Cardiff right is headed expertly beyond Jorgensen by a diving Turnbull.
The stadium erupts. GAME ON!
What a header.
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:32 , George Flood71 mins: Cardiff living dangerously again inside the final 20 minutes as Bagan almost puts through his own net.
Lawlor heads behind the latest attempt from Garnacho after Andrey Santos also had an effort deflected wide.
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:30 , George FloodHere is the goal that put Chelsea in front tonight.
Lawlor won’t want to see it again...
"This is a gift, an absolute present"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 16, 2025
Alejandro Garnacho scores after Dylan Lawlor's misplaced pass 🫣 pic.twitter.com/INpkhA1jwq
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:29 , George Flood69 mins: Cardiff, to their credit, have responded well since looking extremely rattled and error-prone around the goal.
Plenty of time left to find an equaliser, though Chelsea have a lot of attacking threat on the pitch now.
Willock is just squeezed out by the byline and his cross is straight into the arms of Jorgensen.
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:26 , George Flood67 mins: Gusto and Neto are coming on for Chelsea now.
Off go Buonanotte and Gittens.
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:24 , George Flood62 mins: Trott comes out to thwart Garnacho before Cardiff snap out of their funk and lay siege to the Chelsea penalty area, with Willock driving them on.
Willock with a curled effort blocked before Jorgensen hurts himself while at full stretch to divert another ball into the box.
More Chelsea changes are coming.
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:20 , George Flood59 mins: Cardiff look in real trouble now as another mistake is almost punished.
Joao Pedro has an attempt blocked and Trott gets his fingertips to a powerful effort from Buonanotte.
Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:19 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
Made by Buonanotte, and finished off with aplomb by Garnacho.
Chelsea cannot claim they deserve it, but they have the lead - and they had raised their levels somewhat in the last few minutes.
GOAL! Cardiff 0-1 Chelsea | Alejandro Garnacho 57'
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:16 , George Flood57 mins: Deadlock broken!
It’s a real gift from Lawlor, whose loose pass is intercepted by Buonanotte.
The Brighton loanee surges into the box and tees up Garnacho for a tidy low finish into the bottom corner.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:14 , George Flood55 mins: Chelsea are really upping the tempo now at last as Joao Pedro has an effort blocked inside the box.
Willock and Salech are replacing Davies and Robinson in a double change for Cardiff.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:13 , George Flood54 mins: Huge chance for Chelsea as Chambers is caught in possession by two players near the halfway line and Garnacho’s sweeping low finish from a pinpoint Buonanotte cross is palmed away by Trott.
Vital save.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:11 , George Flood52 mins: Chelsea botch one attempted counter-attack through Buonanotte before a second almost bears fruit as Caicedo’s powerful low drive from distance is blocked by Wintle.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:10 , George Flood51 mins: Really impressive stuff again from Cardiff, but a lashed cross from the right from Ashford is plucked high out of the air by Jorgensen.
Chelsea are still looking so sluggish, even after those half-time changes.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:08 , George Flood50 mins: Nothing at all of note has happened in the opening exchanges of this second period.
Chelsea trying to keep the ball, but they are being pressed everywhere by relentless Cardiff.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:05 , George Flood46 mins: More heart-in-mouth stuff from Cardiff playing out from deep inside their own box, but they will not be deterred from that approach.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:03 , George FloodGeorge and Guiu are making way for Garnacho and Joao Pedro.
Decisive action from Maresca.
Back underway.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:02 , George FloodMaresca is making changes at half-time.
Garnacho and Joao Pedro are both coming on.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 21:00 , George FloodMaresca won’t want to turn to his bench too early ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Newcastle, but Chelsea really need a spark here.
He has plenty of options at least.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:49 , George FloodHalf-time
A rather low-key first half in the Welsh capital, where Cardiff have been much the better side so far.
They look more organised and threatening in attack, with Isaak Davies particularly lively down the left.
His deflected effort forced Jorgensen into a crucial save in the biggest moment of that first period.
After making 11 changes, Chelsea have lacked any sort of rhythm or fluency.
They’ve been really disappointing so far, with Guiu the only player to test Trott.
Big improvement needed.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:47 , George Flood45 mins: Into one minute of added time as Hato brings down Ashford to give Cardiff a free-kick in a decent position to the right of the box.
Caicedo sarcastically applauds the referee and gets a needless yellow card.
The ball into the box is comfortably cleared.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:45 , George Flood43 mins: Badiashile with a very loose pass in a dangerous area and Turnbull picks the ball up before driving wide.
Chelsea just haven’t been at the races in this first half.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:44 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
At times Chelsea have just been so frustrating to watch here.
They just can't keep the ball when they're playing out from the back under pressure.
Cardiff know to press them.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:43 , George Flood41 mins: Now it’s time for a promising Cardiff attack to break down in similar fashion, Ashford with the error.
Half-time is quickly approaching and the deadlock is yet to be broken in south Wales.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:42 , George Flood39 mins: It’s just not happening for much-changed Chelsea in the final third at the moment.
The last pass is constantly being overhit.
The Cardiff fans are loving it.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:38 , George Flood36 mins: Another dangerous low cross from George evades all his Chelsea team-mates, leading to more ironic cheers from the home fans.
Terrific work as ever from the all-action Caicedo to sprint back and break up a Cardiff counter-attack.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:37 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
Super stop from Jorgensen. Saw it late. That will do his confidence the world of good.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:35 , George Flood33 mins: Jorgensen with a fine save at the near post low to his right after Chelsea are caught sleeping at the back and Davies’ effort takes a huge deflection off Caicedo.
Vital intervention from the Blues’ No2.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:32 , George Flood30 mins: Chelsea’s best chance of the game so far as Caicedo drives them forward and releases Guiu, whose low strike is saved by Trott, who then gratefully gathers after the ball bounces back in his direction off Lawlor.
Chelsea’s first attempt on target has taken half an hour to come.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:29 , George Flood27 mins: Ashford does well to keep the ball in play in front of the dugouts and is then barged over by Buonanotte.
No card, much to the annoyance of the home supporters.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:27 , George Flood26 mins: Former Arsenal defender Chambers slides through on Guiu and joins Davies in the book.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:26 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
It does feel as though every time Maresca heavily rotates, he has to settle for a more ponderous performance from his side.
Chelsea offering very little going forward here, struggling to pass through Cardiff's midfield.
No one playing themselves into the team for Newcastle on Saturday as yet.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:24 , George Flood22 mins: The game is opening up nicely now as a superb pass from Bagan down the Cardiff left beats Acheampong to play in Davies, who is under pressure as he slices well wide.
That was a real chance.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:23 , George Flood21 mins: Lawlor is caught playing out from the back and Chelsea immediately counter.
George’s venomous strike is blocked superbly.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:21 , George Flood18 mins: A bit of a lull in the game before Buonanotte embarks on a dangerous run and is then mystified as to how he isn’t awarded a free-kick for a challenge by Bagan.
Replays show he had a point.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:18 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
A great advantage that referee Tony Harrington played to allow Cardiff's attack to continue after Acheampong's foul.
A first meaningful shot on target for the hosts. Chelsea need some semblance of control here. They haven't got it yet.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:17 , George Flood15 mins: Chelsea are turning up the heat a little now as they swiftly seize back possession and Gittens has another attempt blocked.
Davies receives the first booking of the night for chopping down Acheampong, who avoided yellow for a heavy foul on Davies a few minutes ago.
The home fans are not happy.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:15 , George Flood14 mins: Really good build-up play there from Chelsea that ends with George flashing a brilliant low ball across the six-yard box.
But there’s no Guiu or any other white shirts there to take advantage and the chance is lost.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:14 , George Flood12 mins: Patient build-up play from Cardiff as Acheampong clatters into Davies.
Jorgensen is then forced into a comfortable save.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:12 , George Flood10 mins: The tricky Gittens forces an early corner, which Chelsea take short as Cardiff are caught napping.
Badiashile ends up firing first-time well over the crossbar.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:10 , George Flood8 mins: Cardiff are growing in encouragement here as they continue to monopolise possession in their usual style, despite the much higher caliber of opposition.
A dangerous cross slung in from the left is seen away inside the Chelsea box.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:09 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
The first half-chance goes the way of Cardiff, with Chelsea's Andrey Santos not alive to the overlap on the right.
Cardiff have started well here. Better, I'd say, than Chelsea have.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:08 , George Flood7 mins: Lovely link-up play from Ashford and Colwill down the Cardiff right, with the latter’s clipped cross from the byline in space just too high for Robinson, whose tame header is easily held by Jorgensen.
Caicedo now with a crunching challenge on Colwill that invites the referee’s whistle.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:06 , George Flood6 mins: Gittens cuts in off the Chelsea left flank and has some running room before a hopeful long-range drive is easily blocked.
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:05 , George Flood4 mins: Nervy moments for Cardiff ‘keeper Trott as the hosts try to stick to their philosophy under Barry-Murphy and play out from the back, no matter what.
They have averaged over 60 per cent possession in League One so far this season.
That surely won’t be the case tonight...
Cardiff 0-0 Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:03 , George Flood2 mins: Chelsea are pressing high early on here and force Cardiff into a sloppy mistake on the far side.
Ng is down for Cardiff after a heavy fall following a robust aerial challenge from Gittens.
He looks to have hurt his right shoulder, but looks okay to continue.
Cardiff vs Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 20:01 , George FloodUnderway in south Wales!
Chelsea have won all of their last five games against Cardiff, to whom they haven't lost since 1986.
Can they continue that run tonight to reach another semi-final under Maresca?
A great atmosphere already at a packed house...
Here come the teams
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:58 , George FloodThe players have emerged from the tunnel at a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium.
Tony Harrington is tonight’s referee, with no VAR in operation at this stage of the competition.
Cardiff are in familiar home blue, with Chelsea in their white away shirts.
Excitement building ahead of kick-off
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:54 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
There is real excitement building here. And I think it's partly because of the football game that's about to begin, and not just because Wham's Last Christmas came on the tannoy.
Caicedo captains Chelsea on return from ban
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:43 , George FloodFinal preparations in Cardiff, where Caicedo wears the captain’s armband on his return to domestic action for Chelsea.
Usual skipper Reece James is on the bench, along with deputy Enzo Fernandez.
'Chelsea cannot afford to take in-form Cardiff lightly'
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:37 , George FloodHere’s more from Standard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium, including a warning for much-changed Chelsea...
🗣️ "Chelsea cannot afford to take in-form Cardiff lightly."@MrDomSmith is in position to preview tonight's quarter-final clash
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) December 16, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/Y96BxdQbBV#CARCHE | #CarabaoCup | #CFC pic.twitter.com/QKZYSBQ7Hn
Chelsea block loanee Kellyman from playing
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:28 , George FloodUnlike the Premier League and FA Cup, there is no blanket rule that stops loanees from playing against their parent clubs in the Carabao Cup.
However, players need written permission from their parent clubs in order to do so, something that Chelsea were not willing to provide for Omari Kellyman.
A four-page interview with Omari Kellyman in the Cardiff City programme. Yet he can’t play against his parent club Chelsea because #CFC blocked it. Oh and by the way, his surname is the media WiFi password here at the Cardiff City Stadium. Some banter has been had here methinks pic.twitter.com/YoZvkPtuxi
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) December 16, 2025
No Estevao at all for Chelsea as Caicedo starts
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:21 , George FloodStandard Sport’s Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium
Surprising to see Caicedo starting, but he has missed three of the last four games through suspension so perhaps this is about getting him up to speed before St James' Park on Saturday.
Estevao Willian is not in the squad at all, which will be one to ask the manager about later.
It's 11 changes from the team that beat Everton on Saturday.
Maresca will be hoping his squad players can deliver the goods here.
Five Cardiff changes from Doncaster thriller
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:13 , George FloodCardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy, meanwhile, makes five changes to the team that beat Doncaster 4-3 at home in a thriller on Saturday thanks to a dramatic winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time from left-back Joel Bagan.
There are two changes in defence, with Perry Ng and Dylan Lawlor replacing Ronan Kpakio and Will Fish.
Joel Colwill and David Turnbull also return as Alex Robertson drops to the bench and the ineligible Omari Kellyman also makes way.
Callum Robinson replaces Yousef Salech up front.
Chelsea show 11 changes as Maresca utilises depth
Tuesday 16 December 2025 19:04 , George FloodEnzo Maresca makes the full 11 changes to his Chelsea team tonight as he looks to utilise his squad depth ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Newcastle in the Premier League.
Filip Jorgensen takes over from Robert Sanchez in goal, with a four-man defence of Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato replacing Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and the suspended Marc Cucurella.
Moises Caicedo is in from the start after suspension, partnering Andrey Santos in midfield as Reece James and Enzo Fernandez make way.
Tyrique George, Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Gittens replace Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho in attack, with Marc Guiu taking over from Joao Pedro up top.
Maresca has named a very strong bench in case anything goes wrong tonight.
Cardiff lineup
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:53 , George FloodCardiff XI: Trott, Ng, Lawlor, Chambers, Bagan, Wintle, J Colwill, Turnbull, Ashford, Robinson, Davies
Subs: Turner, Giles, Fish, Mafico, Robertson, Donczew, Nyakuhwa, Willock, Salech
Chelsea lineup
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:50 , George FloodChelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Hato, Andrey Santos, Caicedo, George, Buonanotte, Gittens, Guiu
Subs: Sanchez, Gusto, James, Chalobah, Fofana, Fernandez, Garnacho, Neto, Joao Pedro
Walsh and Mheuka on FA Youth Cup duty tonight
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:47 , George FloodThose hoping to see the likes of talented youngsters Reggie Walsh and Shim Mheuka involved for Chelsea in Cardiff tonight will be left disappointed.
They have both been named in the Under-18s lineup for the FA Youth Cup tie against Brentford at Wheatsheaf Park.
The likes of Landon Emenalo and Ibrahim Rabbaj are also in that team.
Barry-Murphy relishing reunion with mentor Maresca
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:43 , George FloodStanding in the opposite dugout to Enzo Maresca tonight at a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium will be a very familiar face in Bluebirds boss Brian Barry-Murphy.
The duo previously worked together under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
"He's always been there for me and I've always felt his support," said Barry-Murphy this week.
"He had a big influence on the first-team squad when I was there.
“I always think with a manager of the calibre of Pep it can be hard to show what he showed.
"But he added bits of information or coaching points that helped the players, and the (fact) they relied on him so much was an insight into what he's doing now.
"I have full admiration for him, but once you come to the games he'd be fully aware that we all try our best to compete."
Maresca happy at Chelsea despite cryptic complaints
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:29 , George FloodThose cryptic complaints appear to have put him on a collision course with ownership and given cause for sudden speculation over Enzo Maresca’s long-term future at Chelsea, with Jamie Carragher even predicting on Sky Sports that he won’t remain in charge for next season.
Maresca, though, insists he remains happy at Chelsea.
"Absolutely yes,” he said on Monday when asked if he remains committed to the job.
"I can speak Italian, Spanish very well and French well, and English more or less.
“I think when I want to say something I am quite clear. I already spoke after the game, I don't need to add more.
"You can try in Italian, Spanish, French so you are all aware. It's finished. It was after the game. Now it's focus on Cardiff."
Maresca refuses to clarify 'worst 48 hours' comments
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:22 , George FloodThe build-up to tonight’s game has been much spicier than anticipated, following Enzo Maresca’s surprising and cryptic comments that followed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League.
“Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us,” the Blues boss said after a victory at Stamford Bridge that ended his side’s four-game winless streak across all competitions.
Maresca would not elaborate on who exactly he was referring to, only confirming that it wasn’t Chelsea’s fans, who he is “very happy” with.
"I already spoke about that and I don't have anything to add," he said at yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
"It's Cardiff tomorrow please. I think I was quite clear, no more than that.
"I respect your (the media's) opinion. I respect people's opinion. But again I don't have anything to add.
“My focus is on tomorrow's game where we can achieve a third semi-final in 18 months since I joined the club."
Becoming visibly annoyed at the line of questioning, he added: “We are in an era where everyone can say what they think.
“I respect people's opinion. I don't have anything to add. My focus is just on tomorrow.”
Stage is set
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:11 , George FloodThe calm before the inevitable storm at the Cardiff City Stadium, where Chelsea won both times during the Bluebirds’ only Premier League stints to date in 2013/14 and 2018/19.
In fact, Chelsea have won all of the last five meetings between the two clubs dating back to an FA Cup fifth-round tie in 2010 which they won 4-1.
Cardiff have not beaten Chelsea in any competition since October 1986, when a second-half brace from Nick Platnauer cancelled out Keith Jones’ penalty in a 2-1 win in the third round of the League Cup at Ninian Park.
It was known as the Littlewoods Cup back then.
Chelsea players set for Carabao Cup chance
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:03 , George FloodTyrique George
Thanks in part to goals in both of Chelsea’s previous matches in the Carabao Cup this season, George has already matched his entire tally from last term.
The academy graduate is a versatile option up front, where he is nominally a winger but has filled in as a striker at times.
He almost joined Fulham on deadline day but that transfer fell through, leaving him at Chelsea to fight for first-team opportunities.
The 19-year-old will be champing at the bit for a chance to run at the Cardiff defence, having played just twice since October and been left out of Chelsea’s squad for each of their last seven league games.
Chelsea players set for Carabao Cup chance
Tuesday 16 December 2025 18:01 , George FloodJorrel Hato
Despite Chelsea splashing out £37m for Hato in the summer, he has been used sparingly this season.
Eight appearances in all competitions will be fewer than the 19-year-old was hoping for, but he is poised to earn a ninth tonight.
Hato is a centre-back by trade but has played a decent proportion of his minutes for Chelsea at left-back, where he is now the only natural replacement for Marc Cucurella since Ben Chilwell left to join the Blues’ sister club Strasbourg.
Hato said in late October that he feels he is beginning to find his feet at Stamford Bridge but has played just twice since then and not in the last month, so he needs the opportunity tonight.
Chelsea players set for Carabao Cup chance
Tuesday 16 December 2025 17:58 , George FloodOfficial lineups from the Cardiff City Stadium are on the way shortly, but before that Standard Sport’s Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith has been looking at three players who may get their chance tonight with Enzo Maresca expected to ring the changes.
Facundo Buonanotte
Opportunities have been increasingly hard to come by for Buonanotte.
The 20-year-old deadline-day loan signing from Brighton has not been named in a Premier League squad since October and last appeared as a 70th-minute substitute in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag in early November.
Cole Palmer’s return from injury further limits his potential game time, but the Englishman’s absence tonight is likely to present the chance for Buonanotte to feature.
His first Chelsea goal arrived when he netted in September’s 2-1 win at Lincoln, also in the Carabao Cup.
Cardiff vs Chelsea prediction
Tuesday 16 December 2025 17:47 , George FloodDepending on what side Enzo Maresca picks, you would expect Chelsea to cruise through here.
But weirder things have happened, and the domestic cups love a fairytale upset.
That shouldn’t be the case, however.
Chelsea to win, 3-1.
Chelsea team news: No Palmer or Cucurella
Tuesday 16 December 2025 17:46 , George FloodThere is no Cole Palmer for Chelsea tonight as his return from a persistent groin injury and toe fracture continues to be carefully managed.
Palmer started, scored and played almost an hour during Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Everton in the Premier League, but is not yet considered ready to feature twice in a matter of days.
Chelsea remain without Liam Delap, while Dario Essugo is not yet ready to return and is still on the sidelines along with Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill.
Moises Caicedo is back available for domestic action after serving a three-match ban for his sending off against Arsenal last month, though Marc Cucurella is suspended after picking up his second booking in the Carabao Cup this season in the seven-goal thriller against Wolves in October.
Cardiff team news: Kellyman not able to play
Tuesday 16 December 2025 17:41 , George FloodCardiff are without Omari Kellyman this evening, with Chelsea not granting their loanee permission to face his parent club.
Rubin Colwill, Gabriel Osho and Ollie Tanner are all still sidelined for the Bluebirds through injury.
How to watch Cardiff vs Chelsea
Tuesday 16 December 2025 17:37 , George FloodTV channel: Tonight’s game will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 7.30pm GMT.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Cardiff vs Chelsea live
Tuesday 16 December 2025 17:33 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Cardiff vs Chelsea.
The first semi-final spot in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup is up for grabs tonight at the League One leaders host the Premier League giants in south Wales.
Kick-off in this opening last-eight tie is at 8pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, breaking team news and live updates including expert analysis from Chelsea correspondent Dom Smith at the Cardiff City Stadium.
