Chelsea Fight Back but Arsenal Strike Late to Take Semi-Final Control at the Bridge
Good evening and what a night of cup football we witnessed at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and Arsenal delivered drama, momentum swings and real edge in this EFL Cup semi-final first leg and it finished with Arsenal walking away with a narrow but valuable 3–2 victory.
Arsenal came into this match knowing how important it was to take control early and that is exactly what they did. Inside the opening minutes, they looked sharper, more settled and more dangerous from set pieces. That early pressure paid off when Ben White rose in the box and powered home the opener, immediately quieting the home crowd and putting Chelsea on the back foot.
Chelsea tried to respond, but Arsenal stayed patient and disciplined. Just after the break, the visitors struck again. Viktor Gyökeres, who has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, finally found his moment, capitalizing on a loose ball to double Arsenal’s lead. At 2–0, it felt like Arsenal were beginning to pull away and Stamford Bridge was starting to sense a long night.
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But then came the turning point. Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior rolled the dice, bringing on Alejandro Garnacho and the impact was instant. Garnacho brought pace, hunger and belief. His first goal gave Chelsea a lifeline and ignited the crowd and suddenly this tie felt alive again.
Just as Chelsea started to push, Arsenal showed their composure. Martín Zubimendi stepped up with a moment of quality, gliding through midfield and finishing calmly to restore Arsenal’s two-goal cushion. That goal could prove massive when this tie is finally settled.
Yet Chelsea refused to fold. Garnacho struck again late on, his second of the night and once more Stamford Bridge roared into life. The Blues threw everything forward in the closing moments, sensing that an equaliser would change the entire picture, but Arsenal held firm.
So as it stands, Arsenal carry a one-goal advantage back to the Emirates. It is a strong position, especially given their home form, but this tie is far from over. Chelsea have shown they can hurt Arsenal and Garnacho has shown he can change a game in an instant.
This was only half-time in the story. Arsenal are closer to Wembley, but Chelsea still have hope and the second leg promises even more intensity. For now, Arsenal leave London with the edge and Chelsea leave knowing this fight is not finished yet.
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