Unconvincing Chelsea squeezed past Cardiff City to land a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a scrappy 3-1 victory over the League One outfit in South Wales. The Blues were woeful in the first-half, but the introduction of subsitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto proved the difference between the two sides as Enzo Maresca’s side sealed the tie with three second-half goals.

Charles De Ketelaere enjoyed getting his revenge on Alejandro Garnacho as the Chelsea winger was made to eat his words after his side's Champions League defeat in Italy on Tuesday night. The Argentina international had ruffled some feathers while speaking during a pre-match press conference, but was left speechless after the Serie A side came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory.

Alejandro Garnacho has described his £40 million ($53m) transfer to Chelsea as a "step forward" while insisting he has no regrets about the acrimonious end to his Manchester United career. The 21-year-old, who was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects at Old Trafford, was allowed to leave in August after falling out of favour under head coach Ruben Amorim.

Manchester United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia as part of a proposed swap deal for Alejandro Garnacho during the summer. Despite actively searching for midfield reinforcements, concerns over the Belgian's injury record led the Red Devils to refuse the swap and push ahead with a standalone £40 million sale of the Argentine winger instead.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at Manchester United over their handling of Alejandro Garnacho, pointing the finger of blame at the Old Trafford club over perceived below-par fitness when the Argentina international arrived at Stamford Bridge. Garnacho was exiled into the so-called 'bomb squad' under Ruben Amorim, before his £40 million ($52.6m) move to west London and has taken time to settle in at his new team.