Ruben Loftus-Cheek struck at the death as Chelsea sealed a hugely controversial 2-1 comeback victory over Cardiff.
Victor Camarasa put the hosts in front before Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta equalised from an offside position with time running out.
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Neil Warnock couldn’t believe his team’s luck
And substitute Loftus-Cheek compounded the Bluebirds’ misery with a well-placed header in injury time.
The defeat will be particularly painful for Cardiff boss Neil Warnock, who was livid on the touchline, while Maurizio Sarri’s blushes will be spared following mass protests from the travelling fans.
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Warnock stood on the pitch crestfallen after the full-time whistle – staring at the match officials without saying a word.
A win would’ve provided a huge boost to Cardiff’s hopes of Premier League survival – but the dramatic turnaround leaves them five points adrift of safety.
The Blues fans, who had been chanting ‘we want Sarri out’ throughout the second-half, will suddenly be feeling more optimistic after the club moved to within one point of fourth-place Manchester United.
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Loftus-Cheek netted the winner for Chelsea
Sarri’s day was also laced with questionable selection as Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante were dropped to the bench. Callum Hudson-Odoi was again deprived of making his first Premier League start after impressing for England in Montenegro on Monday.
The result was slow and ponderous build-up play as a three-man attack of Pedro, Gonzalo Higuain and Willian – who have all turned 30 – lacked the energy to trouble one of the division’s leakiest defences.
A forgettable first half had only brief interludes of action, with Willian the only bright spark for the visitors.
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Azpilicueta’s goal should’ve been disallowed
The game was crying out for Hazard’s arrival, but there was no sign of the Belgian after the break and Cardiff were ahead within 52 seconds of the restart.
Arter swung over a cross after Aron Gunnarsson’s long throw had been cleared back to the Iceland midfielder.
Camarasa met the low dipping ball on the volley to beat Kepa from 15 yards for his fifth goal of the season.
‘F*** Sarri-ball,’ chanted the Chelsea fans as the manager responded with an overdue substitution, replacing Pedro with Hazard after 53 minutes.
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Warnock was hugely disappointed with the officials
The switch changed the direction of the game. Hazard brought finesse to Chelsea and the pressure began to grow.
But it culminated in a goal which should’ve been disallowed – Azpilicueta was a clear yard offside when he latched onto Marcos Alonso’s flick-on in the 84th minute.
Cardiff were also furious that Antonio Rudiger escaped a red card for dragging down Kenneth Zohore moments later with the striker breaking through on goal.
And a horrible seven minutes for Cardiff were complete when Loftus-Cheek met a wonderful cross from Willian and guided it into the corner.
Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea: Neil Warnock fumes as Ruben Loftus-Cheek completes controversial Blues turnaround. but the dramatic turnaround leaves them five points adrift of safety.
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late
Premier League Match Report for Cardiff City v Chelsea on 31 March 2019, includes all goals and incidents. Have your say on the game in the comments.
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late turnaround City on Sunday that left Neil Warnock raging. Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross in the first of seven
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late
Premier League: Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed home Willian's cross in added time as Chelsea rallied from a goal down to win 2-1 at Cardiff City.
Cardiff City v Chelsea Match Report, 31/03/2019, Premier
Ruben Loftus-Cheek struck at the death as Chelsea sealed a hugely controversial 2-1 comeback victory over Cardiff. Victor Camarasa put the hosts in front before Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta equalised from an offside position with time running out.
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea two: Loftus-Cheek header completes
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late turnaround Cardiff City on Sunday that left Neil Warnock raging. Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross in the first of seven
Chelsea boosted their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League as they fought back from a goal down to record a controversial 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff City on Sunday that left Neil Warnock raging. Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross in the first of seven additional minutes as the Blues - insipid for so
Premier League: Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2 - Sportstar
Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea: Neil Warnock fumes as Ruben Loftus
Chelsea boosted their hopes of a major-4 finish in the Premier League as they fought back from a objective down to record a controversial two-1 victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff City on Sunday that left Neil Warnock raging. Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross in the 1st of seven further minutes as the Blues - insipid for
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late
Chelsea boosted its hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League as it fought back from a goal down to record a controversial 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Cardiff City on Sunday that left Neil Warnock raging. Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross in the first of seven additional minutes as the Blues - insipid for so much of
Premier League: Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2 | Goal.com
Cardiff City 1 Chelsea 2: Loftus-Cheek header completes late turnaround Substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross in added time as Chelsea rallied from a goal down to defeat lowly
Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea: Neil Warnock fumes as Ruben Loftus
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