Chelsea vs Middlesbrough LIVE: Carabao Cup result and reaction after Cole Palmer scores twice
Chelsea will look to overturn their first-leg deficit to book a spot in their ninth League Cup final at Wembley
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Your support makes all the difference.The first finalists for this season’s Carabao Cup final has been decided, after Chelsea beat Middlesbrough with a thoroughly convincing performance and an eventual 6-1 scoreline, for 6-2 on aggregate. It was the Championship side who secured a slender 1-0 advantage in their home half of the tie but they couldn’t keep pace once the Blues got started.
A clinical performance saw Jonny Howson’s early own goal added to by Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi, Cole Palmer twice and Noni Madueke, before a late consolation goal from Morgan Rogers. The Blues will now face a late February date against either Fulham or Liverpool in the final.
Follow below for all the match reaction. Click here for all the odds and tips.
GOAL! 15’ - Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough
Chelsea ahead! Chilwell does brilliantly to open the defence, Sterling is through on goal and squares it for Broja who has a tap-in - though he dallies just long enough for Howson to race back, try to intercept and instead divert the ball into his own net.
It’s one-nil on the night and all square on aggregate!
12’ - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough
Chilwell wants a penalty, he’s not getting one but had a case! The left-back races through, rises above Glover to head at goal, over and wide - but the ‘keeper cleans him out and leaves him on the floor. Nothing given from the referee except a booking for Mudryk for complaining.
No VAR tonight remember.
8’ - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough
Forss gets behind the Chelsea back line and his cross causes chaos from the right - a missed interception and a poor clearance almost gift a shooting chance but no red shirt is on hand to take advantage.
Pochettino looks to have stationed Enzo and Palmer very high and central behind Broja, with Mudryk cutting in off the left. He does so now and sees a shot deflected over - corner for the home team, but Chilwell’s delivery is cleared.
4' - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough
A loud start at the Bridge, albeit it a nervy-looking one from the hosts who have misplaced a few early passes.
Boro looking positive, getting numbers forward when they can, with the back four flitting to a three in possession.
Enzo Fernandez is playing pretty high upfield for Chelsea.
1’ - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough
It’s kick-off time and we are underway! Boro leading 1-0 from the first leg; in 90 minutes, one of these teams could be in the Carabao Cup final, in touching distance of a trophy and the Europa League in 2024/25.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE
We’re just a minute from kick-off, but ahead of the start there’s a minute’s applause for Tommy Baldwin, the former Chelsea player.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE
Michael Carrick ahead of kick-off:
“I trust the boys, it’s a great opportunity for us and we’ve put a lot of work in to get here. We know what we’re getting into but we’re here to have a right crack at it.”
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE
A reminder of the teams ahead of kick-off, which is in just 15 minutes:
Chelsea: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Mudryk, Sterling, Broja
Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Barlaser, Clarke, Fry, Hackney, Rogers, Howson, Forss, Crooks, Engel
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE
Chelseas’ aspirations of reaching a 10th EFL Cup final hang in the balance with Middlesbrough holding a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final tie (8pm, Sky Sports Main Event).
The Teessiders sprang a surprise in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium a fortnight ago, Hayden Hackney’s first-half goal settling the game in favour of the Championship side.
Despite trailing in the tie, Chelsea are 2/5 to advance to the final with football betting sites confident they can overturn the one-goal deficit.
Latest odds and tips:
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough predictions: EFL Cup betting tips, odds & free bets
Middlesbrough head to Chelsea looking to finish the job in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE
The Carabao Cup semi-final second legs take place this week, with Chelsea hosting Middlesbrough before Liverpool head to Fulham for their respective return fixtures.
In the first leg it was the Championship side and the Reds who picked up slender leads, with Boro leading Mauricio Pochettino’s side by a single goal while it a comeback 2-1 victory at Anfield for Liverpool to see off the Cottagers.
This competition is somewhat changeable with regards to rules throughout the campaign, with extra time, penalties and VAR all subject to change depending on which round is being played and which teams are left in - which means an alteration this time out compared to the quarter-finals.
Carabao Cup: Is there extra time in semi-finals?
No VAR in the semis but we could see more matchplay all the same
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