So Chelsea’s path to Wembley is all mapped out, then. For us, it’s gonna be a proper London derby in the semis, against either Arsenal or Palace. A two-legged tie that promises, you just know it, high drama next month. Tonight’s draw set the whole thing up, a major hurdle for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea as they chase that first bit of silverware you can get your hands on.
This news comes fresh off the back of a seriously hard-fought win. Last night in Cardiff, a 3-1 quarter-final victory that didn’t come easy. Myself and plenty others watching, we felt the nerves for long periods down there in Wales. Alejandro Garnacho he broke the deadlock right before the hour, which was a relief. Only for David Turnbull to go and pull that Championship side level with a powerful header—the silence from our fans was stark.
“The breakthrough had been coming,” Maresca stated when a few of us met him outside the dressing room post-match. He looked drained but pleased. “Cardiff made it very difficult, they are a strong team. But we showed our quality in the key moments, the reaction after their goal was perfect.”
And what a reaction it was, all packed into the final ten minutes. Pedro Neto restored our lead with this cool, low finish after just driving into the box. Then, in stoppage time, Garnacho sealed the whole thing, completing his brace to make sure there was no late shock creeping in. Talk about relief on the pitch, players grabbing each other after a contest that demanded a serious shift from everyone.
Now everyone’s focus, it shifts completely to the last four. This draw means Chelsea avoids Leicester and United, who’ll play each other. Familiar foes await us instead. Arsenal hosts Palace in their quarter-final next week, delayed it was, with the winner coming straight for us.
The fixture details are all confirmed now, which is something. We will host the first leg at the Bridge the week starting January 12th, 2026. The decisive return leg is scheduled for the week beginning February 2nd, the venue being either the Emirates or Selhurst Park. All the ticket info and the exact dates, the club says that’s coming out in the next few days.
That two-legged format, it always adds another layer. Maresca emphasized the need for a strong start at home first. “At the Bridge, we have to be aggressive, we have to take an advantage,” he said. “But nothing will be decided there. It is over 180 minutes, maybe more. We must be ready for everything.”
This competition, it’s been a kind of catalyst for Chelsea before in recent years. A win here could really galvanize the whole squad, which is still getting used to the manager’s ways. The prospect of a final at Wembley come March, that’s a powerful motivator for any player. A tangible goal amid the long grind of the league.
For the players themselves, reaching a final is the obvious objective. Match-winner Garnacho, he noted the team’s collective hunger. “We want to win every game, every trophy we can. This is a big chance for us, we feel that,” he mentioned. “To play at Wembley is a dream for any player.”
The Carabao Cup, people sometimes question the scheduling, but it retains this immense value for clubs. A fast track to glory, really. Chelsea’s history here is rich, they’ve lifted the trophy five times now. Their last triumph was just in 2025, a fact not lost on a squad where several were part of that campaign.
Getting through a semi against a direct rival, it would represent a massive statement from this group. Whether it’s Arsenal’s technical prowess or Palace’s organized resilience they face, the challenge is gonna be formidable. The stage is set for a proper London showdown, a national final sitting there just 180 minutes away. And I for one can’t wait to see how it plays out.
