Chelsea held off League One leaders Cardiff City to secure their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought and absorbing win in south Wales, BBC reported. 

Roared on by a fervent capacity crowd at Cardiff City Stadium, the home side impressed in and out of possession as they contained their Premier League opponents and showed flashes of their own attacking threat in a goalless first half.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had changed his entire team from Saturday's Premier League victory over Everton, which had been overshadowed by his post-match comment that the preceding 48 hours had been the "worst" of his tenure, according to BBC.