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 vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Route to the semi-finals: Middlesbrough
1st round: Huddersfield 2-3 Middlesbrough
2nd round: Bolton 1-3 Middlesbrough
3rd round: Bradford 0-2 Middlesbrough
4th round: Exeter City 2-3 Middlesbrough
Quarter-finals: Port Vale 0-3 Middlesbrough
Finally, Middlesbrough get to be at home tonight....
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Odds
Middlesbrough win 19/4
Draw 3/1
Chelsea win 4/7
Get the latest odds here.
Prediction
A draw leaves things in the balance ahead of the second leg. Middlesbrough 2-2 Chelsea
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Predicted line-ups
Middlesbrough XI: Glover; Van den Berg, Clarke, Fry, Bangura; Howson, Barlaser; Jones, Crooks, Latte Lath; Coburn.
Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Broja.
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
Team news
Finn Azaz and Sam Greenwood are both cup tied for Middlesbrough, while Morgan Rogers is suspended for the first leg. Samuel Silvera, Seny Dieng and Riley McGree are unavailable after international call-ups, and Tom Smith, Lewis O’Brien and Marcus Forss are among Michael Carrick’s injury absentees.
Christopher Nkunku did not feature in Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Preston due to a hip complaint, and is a doubt in a blow for Mauricio Pochettino with Nicolas Jackson away at the Africa Cup of Nations. In better news for the Chelsea manager, Ben Chilwell, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are all moving closer to returns.
Middlesbrough vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup semi-final updates
When is Middlesbrough vs Chelsea?
The semi-final first leg is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 9 January at the Riverside.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage from 7pm GMT. Subscribers can stream the action via Sky Go.
f you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good evening
Good evening and welcome to tonight’s live action as Middlesbrough host Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-finals. With Liverpool and Fulham facing off in the other semi-final tomorrow evening, Middlesbrough are the only non-Premier League team left in the competition and will know their home leg is crucial to their chances of heading to Wembley and lifting silverware next month.
Michael Carrick’s side are sitting in 12th in the Championship table and are the clear underdogs against the Blues, who are looking to win their first trophy under Mauricio Pochettino. Middlesbrough have yet to play Premier League opposition on their way to the semi-finals but were beaten 1-0 by high-flying Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
The visit of Chelsea will be another stern test, even if Pochettino’s young side have struggled for consistency this season. Chelsea have won three in a row since losing to Wolves on Christmas Eve, though, and will hope to take a positive result back to Stamford Bridge ahead of the return leg in two weeks’ time. Follow live updates from Middlesbrough vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, below.
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