Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Carabao Cup semi-final result and reaction after huge first-leg shock
Middlesbrough 1-0 Chelsea: Hayden Hackney’s first-half goal gave the Championship side a slender lead to take to Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup semi-finals
Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Hayden Hackney’s goal giving Mauricio Pochettino’s wasteful side plenty to do in the return.
The 21-year-old Hackney’s silky finish from an Isaiah Jones pass stunned the visitors in the 37th minute at the Riverside Stadium and the Championship side defended superbly to take a slender advantage to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea only had themselves to blame though as they dominated possession but squandered a host of chances -- the biggest culprit being Cole Palmer who failed to hit the target twice in the opening half with the goal gaping.
Boro, who won the trophy in 2004, had chances on the counter-attack to increase their lead but will head to London believing they can reach Wembley. Chelsea’s players were booed by some of their own fans at the final whistle but will have the chance to make amends in the second leg on January 23.
Follow live updates from Middlesbrough vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, below.
Middlesbrough 0-0 Chelsea
8 mins: Another bright moment for Middlesbrough! Bangura is released down the left and has plenty of space to pick out his cross. He can’t find Coburn in the middle and Enzo Fernandez cuts it out, there are shouts for handball as the ball bounces up, but there’s nothing in that.
Middlesbrough 0-0 Chelsea
6 mins: SAVE! A first sight of goal for Cole Palmer, who has indeed lined up as Chelsea’s central forward. Glover is able to parry away his effort, Palmer hit it well but it was central.
Middlesbrough 0-0 Chelsea
4 mins: Ah, that’s gutting fo Latte Lath, who is going to need to come off for Middlesbrough after that early challenge from Disasi.
The striker had just come back from injury as well, and gives Middlesbrough another problem with so many already out.
Josh Coburn replaces him.
Middlesbrough 0-0 Chelsea
1 min: CHANCE! Huge opportunity for Middlesbrough, inside the first 60 seconds!
Colwill’s backwards header is short and allows Latte Lath to race through on goal!
Disasi comes across well and Latte Lath’s shot is tame, easily held by Petrovic.
It leaves Latte Lath needing some treatment, as Disasi made contact with the striker after he got his shot away.
KICK-OFF! Middlesbrough 0-0 Chelsea
Underway in the first domestic cup semi-final of the season!
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Cracking atmosphere at the Riverside tonight on a huge night for Middlesbrough.
Kick-off is next!
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
And, as a reminder, there’s no VAR tonight, or in the other semi-final.
Retro.
Is VAR being used in the Carabao Cup semi-finals?
Video technology will not be available to the on-field officials at the last four stage
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Should Chelsea or Middlesbrough win big tonight, fans will no doubt start planning their day out to Wembley next month.
This season’s Carabao Cup final will be played on Sunday 25 February at Wembley Stadium. The kick-off time for the final has yet to have been confirmed but last season’s final between Manchester United and Newcastle kicked off at 4:30pm GMT.
When is the Carabao Cup final?
There could be a new winner of the Carabao Cup this season with Liverpool, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Fulham left in the semi-finals
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Pochettino’s message to Chelsea players before tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final: “The most important thing is we need to enjoy the semi-final, not to feel like it’s compulsory for us to be in the final. Football is not about that. You cannot play if you feel pressure and you don’t feel fresh in your mind.
“If you feel it’s compulsory (to win), always with some restriction - you need to take the semi-final as a great opportunity to enjoy playing football, performing well, running, being aggressive, being all together. Not to feel it’s compulsory to go to the final. You start to limit yourself.”
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Michael Carrick heads into Middlesbrough’s Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea convinced he is a better manager than he was a year ago.
Carrick took over at the Riverside Stadium in October 2022 and guided the club to the Championship play-offs at the first attempt after winning eight of his first 11 league games at the helm.
On Tuesday evening, the 42-year-old will go head to head with Mauricio Pochettino and his expensively-assembled team in the first leg of the last-four tie with his side sitting in 12th place, but certain he has improved over the last 12 months.
Asked if he was a better manager, Carrick replied: “I must be, really. There are times through your career when you have good spells and others when you don’t get results. But even when you aren’t getting results, you can be performing really well and feel good and know that it’s coming around.
“There are always ups and downs. It’s sticking to your beliefs and principles. Having those ups and downs the past year has benefited me in terms of how I deal with that.
“With the responsibility and the journey we’ve been on, I have loved every minute of it. I’m very hopeful that there is plenty more to come.”
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