Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea: Visitors come from behind with Azpilicueta and Loftus-Cheek goals

Three of Victor Camarasa's five Premier League goals have come against Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea

Chelsea staged a remarkable late revival to snatch a controversial victory at relegation-threatened Cardiff City and ease the intensifying pressure on boss Maurizio Sarri.

Ponderous and painfully slow, Chelsea controlled possession but did little with it as they were comfortably shackled by a disciplined Cardiff side during a goalless first half.

The hosts took the lead less than a minute into the second period thanks to Victor Camarasa's delicate curling volley, prompting cries of "we want Sarri out" from Chelsea's travelling fans.

With five minutes left, Cezar Azpilicueta nodded in an equaliser from a clearly offside position and then, in added time, substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed the winner to break Cardiff hearts.

The result is a major blow to Cardiff's bid for Premier League survival, leaving them five points adrift of safety with seven games remaining.

For Chelsea, however, it is a major reprieve for their hopes of securing Champions League football next season, keeping them within a point of Manchester United in fourth place.

And nobody will be feeling more relieved than Sarri after he faced repeated calls to be sacked from the travelling supporters.

Best league in world but probably worst officials - WarnockChelsea fans turn on Sarri

The Italian was already under pressure before this match, with a run of four defeats from five away matches and fans growing frustrated with the patient, arguably overly pragmatic style of football known as 'Sarriball'.

They vented their anger on several occasions at Cardiff City Stadium, and justifiably so given their side's largely toothless display.

Sarri had decided to rest two of his most important players, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante, who both joined Callum Hudson-Odoi on the bench despite the clamour to hand the 18-year-old winger his first Premier League start following his impressive recent debut for England.

Hazard's creativity and Hudson-Odoi's dynamism would have been useful for Chelsea in a sterile start to the game, as they dominated possession but at a walking pace.

Once again, Gonzalo Higuain cut a forlorn figure up front, dropping deep in search of the ball and often outnumbered by Cardiff's swarming defence.

Added to that, there was no penetration from a midfield three of Mateo Kovacic, Ross Barkley and Jorginho, whose second-half substitution was met with ironic cheers from the travelling supporters.

But it was Sarri for whom they reserved their most stinging vitriol, mocking 'Sarriball' and demanding the Italian's sacking in a string of furious chants.

Chelsea's players pressed forward in search of an equaliser as the second half wore on, but there was little conviction or genuine threat against a Cardiff side who had conceded 57 goals in their previous 30 matches.

That was until the 84th minute when Marcos Alonso flicked on a cross to Azpilicueta, who was a foot offside but allowed to head in from close range, much to the rage of the Cardiff crowd.

A draw would still not have been much use to Chelsea's hopes of a top-four finish, and they got their full reprieve when Willian swung an injury-time cross to the back post, where substitute Loftus-Cheek headed in powerfully to spark celebrations in the away end - and a huge sigh of relief from Sarri.

A cruel blow for Cardiff's survival hopes

While Sarri reflected on his lucky escape, his counterpart Neil Warnock exploded with indignation.

This was a result which could have huge ramifications for Cardiff's bid for Premier League survival, and referee Craig Pawson's controversial late decisions were fuel to the flames of Warnock's fury.

His side were playing catch-up before a ball had been kicked, as Burnley and Southampton's wins on Saturday had left the Bluebirds five points adrift of safety.

But before the late drama here, Cardiff were on the cusp of a fourth win from seven Premier League matches which would have done wonders for their aim of avoiding relegation.

This would have been their most notable scalp of the season and, although it was against a Chelsea side playing well short of their potential, Cardiff deserved credit for the way in which they negated their opponents with a diligent and well-drilled display.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock (second right) was furious that Chelsea's equaliser was allowed to stand

They were content to allow Chelsea the ball for long periods, while carrying a threat on the break with Josh Murphy a livewire on the right wing.

And although Cardiff are not renowned for aesthetically pleasing football, their goal was a thing of beauty, Camarasa barely breaking stride as he swept in a curling volley just inside the Chelsea penalty area.

It was to prove in vain, with Azpilicueta's goal from an offside position incurring the wrath of the home crowd.

The mood darkened further still when Pawson showed Antonio Rudiger a yellow card for bringing down Kenneth Zohore as he bore down on goal, with the home fans believing the offence warranted a sending off.

And then the final blow came in added time as Loftus-Cheek headed in the winner, leaving Cardiff's dumbstruck players and fans wondering how they had been denied a precious victory, and cursing the controversial calls which contributed to the late turnaround.

Man of the match - Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff)Dominated defensively and worked tirelessly, setting tone for a wholehearted Cardiff displayThe late, late show - the stats

What's next?

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday. While Cardiff are at title-chasing Manchester City (19:45 BST), Chelsea host Brighton at the same time.

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