Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Fans turn on Maurizio Sarri during controversial win

JOE KRISHNAN 
Sunday 31 March 2019 16:01 

Late goals from Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek helped Chelsea complete a dramatic comeback to beat Cardiff 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Victor Camarasa had given the home side the lead in the first minute of the second half but a controversial offside goal from Azpilicueta and Loftus-Cheek's header in the 90th minute rescued a crucial three points for the Blues.

Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri left Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante out of the starting line-up against Cardiff due to burnout in the international period, starting with Mateo Kovacic and Willian instead.

But the Blues struggled to come out of the blocks as Cardiff pressed them high in their own half.

It didn't take long for the first moment of controversy when Antonio Rudiger appeared to be pulled down by Aron Gunnarsson in the penalty area. But with referee Craig Pawson unsighted, play continued.

Chelsea began to find their feet and nearly took the lead when Pedro's left-footed effort from 20 yards clearing the crossbar by a matter of inches.

But Cardiff were showing their own intent to attack and Jacob Murphy was unlucky to see his curling effort sail inches wide of the far post, having beaten Marcos Alonso with some fine skill.

The home side should have been awarded a penalty themselves when Sean Morrison was hauled down by Rudiger, but again, Mr Pawson was unmoved.

A sheer lack of chances towards the end of the half capped a poor half of football, but things soon improved after the interval - at least it did for Cardiff.

Just a minute after the restart, Lee Peltier's cross found Victor Camarasa free in the box and the Spaniard hit a sweet volley into the top corner to hand the Bluebirds a huge goal.

Chants of "we want Sarri out" and "you don't know what you're doing" soon emerged from the away support to highlight their discontent.

Sarri responded to going behind by sending on Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek just 10 minutes into the second half and the pair almost had an immediate impact, combining in the Cardiff box before the hosts scrambled it away.

But the leveller came from an unlikely source when Willian's corner was diverted by Giroud into Azpilicueta's path and he headed home, and the goal was given despite the clear offside, leaving Neil Warnock furious.

There was still time for more drama when Willian's cross was headed home by Loftus-Cheek in the final minute to steal all three points.

The Blues know anything short of victory will see them lose significant ground in the race for the top four, while Cardiff are now five points from safety after wins for Southampton and Burnley on Saturday...
2 weeks ago

Tough times for Higuain
 
Gonzalo Higuain has admitted to Maurizio Sarri that he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League.

Striker Higuain retired from international duty on Thursday, bringing down the curtain on an Argentina career comprising 31 goals in 75 caps, an appearance in the 2014 World Cup final and Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.

The 31-year-old joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus in January, scoring three goals in seven Premier League appearances.

Now Chelsea boss Sarri has called on Higuain to hit top form to spearhead the Blues' final Premier League top-four tilt - starting today at Cardiff.

"He said to me that it's difficult, because the physical impact of the defenders here is really very strong," said Sarri.

"The referees here are really very different than in Italy, and so it's another football for him, especially for a striker and a goalkeeper, it's really very different.

"And so I think that he needs time, but we have no time. So we need him at his top level in the last two months."
2 weeks ago
We are closing in on team news being confirmed - here's how we predict the teams will look in the Welsh capital...
 
Cardiff XI: Etheridge, Peltier, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Bennett, Gunnarsson, Paterson, Murphy, Camarasa, Hoilett, Niasse

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Barkley, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard