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Chelsea logo
Premier League
Oct 19, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Cardiff City logo

4-1

Hazard (33', 82'), Eto'o (66'), Oscar (74')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Mutch (10')

Live Commentary: Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff City - as it happened

Relive our text coverage of Cardiff City's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Premier League.
2

Chelsea hosted Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as both sides looked for a positive result in their first games after the international break.

Cardiff were gifted the lead when Jordon Mutch took advantage of some poor defending to open the scoring.

However, Eden Hazard equalised in the 33rd minute before further goals from Samuel Eto'o, Oscar and a second for the Belgian secured a 4-1 win for Chelsea.

Read below to find out how Chelsea continued their 100% home record in the league.


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Good afternoon everyone. The international matches have come and gone. England have booked their spot in Brazil and it's the Premier League's turn to take centre stage. Chelsea host Cardiff at Stamford Bridge and I'll be bringing you the latest throughout the afternoon.

At one point during the last week it looked like Malky Mackay could be leading Cardiff after losing his head of recruitment. The club's supporters will be delighted that he is still in charge and they'll hope that the disagreements with the owners are a thing of the past.

Jose Mourinho knows that if he wants to win the Premier League this season, his team must beat sides like Cardiff at home. Chelsea are firm favourites but the visitors will prove to be difficult opposition.

CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry (c), Bertrand, Ramires, Lampard, Willian, Mata, Hazard, Eto’o

SUBSTITUTES: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Essien, Oscar, De Bruyne, Torres


CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry (c), Bertrand, Ramires, Lampard, Willian, Mata, Hazard, Eto’o

SUBSTITUTES: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Essien, Oscar, De Bruyne, Torres


Samuel Eto'o keeps his place in attack for Chelsea, while Fernando Torres has recovered from a knee injury to be named on the bench. David Luiz partners John Terr in defence and Ryan Bertrand fills in for the injured Ashley Cole.

CARDIFF: Marshall, Taylor, Caulker (C), Turner, Whittingham, Medel, Odemwingie, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Cowie, Theophile-Catherine

SUBSTITUTES: Lewis, Hudson, Campbell, Kim, Gestede, Noone, Maynard


CARDIFF: Marshall, Taylor, Caulker (C), Turner, Whittingham, Medel, Odemwingie, Gunnarsson, Mutch, Cowie, Theophile-Catherine

SUBSTITUTES: Lewis, Hudson, Campbell, Kim, Gestede, Noone, Maynard


Fraizer Campbell is named on the bench for the visitors, so I'd expect Peter Odemwingie to start as a central attacker. There's options for Mackay on the bench but he'll be hoping his preferred 11 can keep things tight.

Fraizer Campbell is named on the bench for the visitors, so I'd expect Peter Odemwingie to start as a central attacker. There's options for Mackay on the bench but he'll be hoping his preferred 11 can keep things tight.

We know the teams now. Does that change anyone’s minds? Chelsea have world class quality all over the pitch and on the bench. Cardiff are the underdogs but they've already shocked Manchester City this season, so don’t rule out a shock.

No Craig Bellamy for Cardiff today. Will the visitors miss his experience today?

Chelsea haven't dropped a point at Stamford Bridge yet this season and are unbeaten on their home turf in the Premier League for 11 matches.

Cardiff won the last time they visited this area of London. The Welsh side beat Fulham 2-1 in late September thanks to Jordon Mutch's wonder goal. They'll be hoping for a similar performance today.

The last time these two sides met in the league was in the old Division Two in 1984, when they played out a 3-3 draw. That fact has no relevance, I just thought you should know.

If you want to keep up with the action in any of the other Premier League games, just click on the fixture you wish to follow on the right of the page. It promises to be an exciting afternoon of football.

Juan Mata appears to have repaired his relationship with Mourinho and Chelsea will surely feel the benefit. The Spaniard is one of the most consistently brilliant players in the league. Cardiff will be wary of his threat today.

Liverpool have been held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle in the early match and that means Chelsea could possibly go top of the table if other results go their way.

What can Cardiff aim for this season? Survival is of course the main priority for Mackay's men. At times they've shown the type of quality which suggests they could expect more but the second half of the campaign will really show us where they are as a team.

The action begins in 15 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Both sides are heading back inside for one final team talk before this game gets underway.

It's so close in the Premier League at the moment and that means Cardiff could leap up the table with a shock result but they're also perilously close to being dragged into the bottom three.

David Marshall has made more saves than any other goalkeeper this season. I'm guessing he will be pretty busy this afternoon too.

Both sides are out on the pitch now and we're just moments away from kick off. Who will make the better start?

Everything is in place at Stamford Bridge. It will be Cardiff who get the game underway.

Chelsea quickly win the ball from their opponents and they have looked relaxed in possession already.

Cardiff haven't panicked despite Chelsea's good start, with the visitors battling well in midfield. Tight start in London.

First foul of the games as Luiz charges through the back of Odemwingie to gift Cardiff a free kick on the halfway line.

Cardiff launch the ball into the box but Chelsea deal with the threat well and Cech eventually collects.

Odemwingie steals the ball from Hazard in midfield but he's quickly put under pressure by a number of defenders on the edge of the box and the attack comes to nothing.

Chelsea win a free kick 30 yards from goal. Turner bravely stands tall to block Lampard's fierce effort with his face. Ouch!

The hosts have probably settled slightly better than their opponents but the neither Mata or Hazard have had much effect on the game yet. Mata manages to find some space in the box but he fails to make contact with a wild swing.

GOAL! CHELSEA 0-1 CARDIFF (MUTCH)

Cardiff take the lead! Marshall's long goal kick looks easy to deal with but a lazy pass from Ramires is ignored by Luiz and Mutch takes advantage to slot the ball past Cech. Awful defending but Cardiff don't care.

Stamford Bridge is in shock at the moment. Mourinho will be furious with Luiz when he looks at the replay. Cardiff fans are making all the noise right now.

Chelsea are struggling to keep the ball in midfield at the moment. Gunnarsson and Medel are causing plenty of problems with their respective work rates.

Eto'o threatens to break away but Caulker comes across to clear the danger. Mata delivers the corner that follows but the visitors stay strong to survive.

CHANCE! Chelsea have dominated possession since the goal but they're not keeping the ball well in the attacking third. Another Mata corner causes problems but Terry glances his header against the outside of the post.

Eto'o drops deeper to collect the ball before picking out Willian, who sees a dangerous cross cleared away. Chelsea looking dangerous in the last couple of minutes.

SAVE! Cardiff are so close to being two ahead. Whittingham delivers a superb free kick and Cech is forced to tip Odemwingie's header past the post.

Chelsea break quickly following a corner and Willian finds Mata but Cardiff defend well to clear the initial danger before Terry heads a corner over.

The hosts enjoy a good spell of possession which ends when Ivanovic's deep cross is easily collected by Marshall in the Cardiff goal.

The visitors are being pushed deeper and deeper as Chelsea continue to dominate possession. However, there's been a lack of quality in the final third from Mourinho's men so far.

Bertrand is eager to get involved in the attacks but an optimistic piece of skill doesn't pay off in the corner of the pitch and Cardiff win a goal kick.

CHANCE! Another free kick causes problems for Chelsea as Cardiff win three headers inside the box. The final one is from Gunnarsson, who nods over from a good position.

Eto'o wins a free kick in a dangerous position but Chelsea fail to take advantage. Hazard appeals for a penalty just moments later but his attempt to invite a foul isn't successful.

Chelsea are applying plenty of pressure now as Hazard links up superbly with Lampard before being dispossessed inside the box. Can the hosts find an equaliser before the break?

GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 CARDIFF (HAZARD)

Marshall is furious but I'm not sure he has a case. Eto'o steals the ball from the goalkeeper when he bounces the ball inside his own penalty area. The forward can't find the target but Hazard takes full advantage by slotting the ball home from close range. Clever play from Eto'o brings the hosts a goal.

Cardiff have responded to the goal by dropping even deeper, which is inviting more pressure. Eto'o is looking very dangerous at the moment.

SHOT! Luiz advances out of defence with the ball and unleashes a powerful left foot effort which sails just over the crossbar.

Cardiff are barely getting a kick at the moment. Mackay will be hopeful his side can make it to the interval on level terms.

YELLOW CARD! Ivanovic is picked out on the right wing but his cross is behind Willian, who can't collect the ball. Luiz is booked for a cynical foul on Gunnarsson. He can have no complaints.

Cardiff aren't applying the same pressure in midfield as they did earlier in the game. Hazard, in particular, is beginning to see much more of the ball.

SHOT! Mata links well with Hazard, who cuts inside onto his right foot before hitting a weak shot straight at Marshall.

YELLOW CARD! Mata completely fools Cowie with a brilliant turn and the Cardiff ace receives a yellow card for a late challenge. Lampard fails to hit the target with the free kick that follows as the ball drifts past the far post.

Chelsea are finishing the first half as the better side but it looks like they'll head into the break level with Cardiff.

HALF TIME: CHELSEA 1-1 CARDIFF

Two big mistakes have resulted in goals at Stamford Bridge. Luiz was caught out when Mutch opened the scoring but Marshall gifted the hosts an equaliser following a moment of madness inside the box.

Despite those two errors, neither team have been able to go on and build a half-time lead. Chelsea have been much better since equalising and the interval came at a good time for the visitors.

Chelsea need to use the ball better in the final third of the pitch. Mata and Hazard started to look dangerous late on in the first half but some of the crossing has been poor.

I've heard some arguments in the last few minutes that Hazard's goal possibly shouldn't be allowed. I'm not sure if any rules were broken but the fact is that Marshall didn't need to take that risk with Eto'o lurking.

The players are beginning to head back out of the changing rooms. A positive result would be priceless for Cardiff. Chelsea ended the first half in control but they must create more chances.

Both sides are ready to begin the second half. Chelsea will get the match back underway.

Cardiff win the ball back quickly from the restart and they've begun the second half confidently.

SHOT! Eto'o, who is probably producing his best performance so far in a Chelsea shirt, cuts onto his right foot outside the box to force Marshall into a low save.

Luiz gives the ball away carelessly and he fights the urge to foul a breaking Mutch. Mourinho breathes a sigh of relief. He doesn't need his defender to receive a second yellow.

Luiz does commit a foul in midfield as he continues to look a candidate for a red card. Will Mourinho think about a change?

CHANCE! Cech only just manages to get a fist on a brilliant corner from Whittingham. The ball then falls to Medel, who fires his effort over the crossbar.

CLOSE! Eto'o picks out Hazard, who delivers a good cross into the six yard box. Willian looks destined to score but Taylor defends excellently to clear the danger.

YELLOW CARD! Marshall decides it's early enough to waste some time and he's rightly punished when he receives a booking.

SUBSTITUTION: Medel's impressive shift comes to an end as Kim Bo-Kyung comes on.

Chelsea are being frustrated by some stubborn defending at the moment. The visitors face a battle to hold onto a point but they're doing a good job at the moment.

SUBSTITUTION: Mourinho makes his first change of the game as Oscar comes on to replace Mata.

Cardiff are beginning to grow in confidence again, with Mutch and Whittingham pulling the strings when the visitors advance forward.

It's Cardiff who are seeing more of the ball at this stage of the second half. Kim beats a couple of defenders but he can't break into the box and Cech eventually collects.

SHOT! Odemwingie holds the ball up well before finding Mutch, who ignores a couple of teammates and fires his shot over.

SUBSTITUTION: Positive move from Mourinho as Chelsea go with three at the back when Torres replaces Bertrand.

Cardiff threaten to break away but a lack of composure from Gunnarsson means that a promising move fades away.

GOAL! CHELSEA 2-1 CARDIFF (ETO'O)

Cardiff fail to clear their lines following a corner and they are punished. Hazard slides a through ball to Eto'o, who takes a touch before firing his first Chelsea goal into the bottom corner. Big moment in this match.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Immediate response from Mourinho and it looks like they might go back to four defenders as Azpilicueta replaces Eto'o just moments after the forward's goal. Fraizer Campbell comes on for fellow striker Odemwingie.

You either love him or hate him. Mourinho complains to the referee about something which isn't very clear. Chelsea's manager is punished by being sent to the stands.

Kim is gifted too much room outside the box but his effort is charged down by Luiz. Chelsea break away in numbers and it's the turn of Torres to see a shot blocked.

Chelsea are doing a good job of dictating the pace of the game now as Cardiff desperately search for a way back into this contest. The visitors will leave space for the home team's attacking players in the closing stages.

SAVE! Taylor picks out Kim, who drills a powerful shot towards goal to force Cech into a good save. Chelsea survive.

Mutch shows good pace as he skips past a couple of defenders but his pass on the edge of the box is intercepted by Terry, who clears the danger.

GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 CARDIFF (OSCAR)

GOAL! CHELSEA 3-1 CARDIFF (OSCAR)

The victory should be safe now as Oscar scores Chelsea's third when he curls in a superb effort from the edge of the box after Ramires had won the ball in midfield.

SAVE! It should have been four! Hazard advances with just two Cardiff defenders in front of him and picks out Willian, whose weak effort is stopped by Marshall.

SUBSTITUTION: Gunnarsson's game comes to an end as Mackay sends on Gestede.

GOAL! CHELSEA 4-1 CARDIFF (HAZARD)

Marshall hasn't had a great day and it’s just been made even worse. Hazard collects the ball on the left side of the box and somehow manages to drill an effort underneath the Cardiff goalkeeper.

Cardiff have fallen apart since the Eto'o goal. They needed to commit more men forward but they've been punished by Chelsea's attacking players, with Hazard causing most of the problems.

The visitors win a corner following a good passing move. Whittingham delivers a good cross but the Chelsea defence hold firm to clear the danger.

Cardiff are keeping the ball well now but it's too little, too late. Just two minutes plus stoppage time remaining.

Chelsea are looking relaxed now and so is Mourinho, who is sitting with some of the club's season ticket holders behind the bench. Four minutes of added time to be played.

Cech charges out of his goal to calmly collect a free kick delivered into the box. Great goalkeeping.

SHOT! Luiz fancies his chances from distance but he fails to hit the target with a wild effort.

Cardiff have ended the game well but it's not going to matter. Chelsea are moments away from a convincing win.

FULL TIME: CHELSEA 4-1 CARDIFF

Cardiff supporters may have thought they were dreaming when they took the lead early on but Chelsea's quality was obvious as they fought back to secure all three points.

Chelsea keep pace with the teams at the top of the table and they're only behind Arsenal, who won again today. Cardiff will be looking over their shoulder nervously as they edge closer to the relegation zone.

Thanks for joining me for an entertaining game and make sure you stay with Sports Mole as we bring you all of the reaction from today's games.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


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