Ruben Loftus-Cheek secured a dramatic comeback victory for Chelsea in injury time as Cardiff’s hopes of Premier League survival were dealt a huge blow in controversial circumstances.
Maurizio Sarri was off to a frosty start already before the game started as the under-fire manager kept Eden Hazard on the bench on Sunday. So too was Callum Hudson-Odoi who made his first international start ahead of his first Premier League start earlier in the week.
Chelsea looked toothless in the first half and struggled to maintain possession against a plucky Cardiff team, looking to secure a much-needed three points, and made six shots in the first half – none of which were on target.
In the second half, Victor Camarasa scored early on from a cross by Harry Arter to give the home side the advantage.
Cardiff City's Victor Camarasa celebrates
Image credit: Reuters
Chelsea upped their game significantly after Sarri brought on Hazard and Loftus-Cheek, and started to sustain pressure on the home side, resulting in an equaliser by Cesar Azpilicueta who was clearly offside.
Adding insult to injury the referee opted for a yellow card as punishment for Antonio Rudiger after a bad foul on Kenneth Zohore, a decision which clearly angered Cardiff manager Neil Warnock.
Cardiff’s fate was sealed shortly thereafter by Loftus-Cheek who scored from a header during extra time to give Chelsea the full three points, a result you couldn’t help but feel bad about for the home side.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea celebrates after he scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Chelsea FC at Cardiff City Stadium on March 31, 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
Chelsea draw level with Arsenal on points but remain in sixth place on goal difference, meanwhile Cardiff stay third from bottom in 18th place.
TALKING POINT – Where was the referee?
A stunning number of decisions went against Cardiff besides a controversial goal and card decision. Rudiger, having looked somewhat handsy in the box earlier was lucky to have escaped a worse fate. Marcos Alonso was also lucky not to have been booked for fouling Sean Morrison, who was something of a target for the Chelsea players throughout.
Neil Warnock, Manager of Cardiff City looks at match referee Craig Pawson after the final whistle during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Chelsea FC at Cardiff City Stadium on March 31, 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH – Sean Morrison
Morrison put in a solid defensive shift for Cardiff despite seemingly being consistently fouled, and made a number of important blocks.
Cardiff City's English defender Sean Morrison (L) and Cardiff City's English midfielder Josh Murphy (R) applaud supporters on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between between Cardiff City and Chelsea at Cardiff City Stadium in Car
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY MOMENTS
46’ GOAL! And in the first minute of the second half Victor Camarasa sees an opportunity and takes it, striking from the centre of the box from Harry Arter's cross.
85’ GOAL! Azpilicueta scores his first Premier League goal of the season as he dives in to head the ball it's 1-1. It's offside but the ref doesn't seem to mind.
Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates after Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Chelsea FC at Cardiff City Stadium on March 31, 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
90+1’ GOAL! Absolutely devastating scenes for Cardiff as Ruben Loftus-Cheek heads the ball in the net.
PLAYER RATINGS
Cardiff: Etheridge 7, Peltier 6, Morrison 7, Ecuele Manga 6, Bennett 6, Gunnarsson 7, J.Murphy 6, Camarasa 6, Arter 7, Hoilett 6, Niasse 7. Subs: Ralls 5, Zohore 5.
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga 6, Azpilicueta 7, David Luiz 6, Rudiger 7, Alonso 6, Jorginho 6, Kovacic 6, Barkley 6, Willian 6, Higuain 6, Pedro 6. Subs: Loftus-Cheek 7, Hazard 7, Giroud 6.
KEY STATS
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555289-53004490-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555367-53006050-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555373-53006170-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555464-53007990-2560-1440.jpg)
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/03/31/2555374-53006190-2560-1440.jpg)