Middlesbrough Stuns Chelsea In Carabao Cup Semi-Final

Championship side Middlesbrough stunned Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday, with Hayden Hackney’s goal giving Mauricio Pochettino’s side plenty to do in the second leg.

Hackney’s lovely goal from an Isaiah Jones pass stunned the visitors in the 37th minute at the Riverside Stadium and the hosts defended superbly to take a slender advantage to Stamford Bridge.

🌋 Listen to the @Boro crowd erupt!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/ENASu6TM1U

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 10, 2024

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.

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Middlesbrough, who won the trophy in 2004 but are currently 12th in the Championship, had chances on the counter-attack to increase its lead but will still head to London believing they can reach Wembley after the victory.

🔴⚪️ Advantage @Boro!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/GUV4BGONma

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 9, 2024

Middlesbrough will take a one-goal lead into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final after a 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Riverside Stadium.

Chelsea had 18 goal attempts, the majority in the first half, but once again they lacked quality in front of goal and were often exposed in defence.

“We made some mistakes in the first half and gave them chances to score,” Pochettino said in an interview after his side’s ninth defeat of the season in all competitions.

“After that they were aggressive and played with a deep block and it was hard for us to break them down. But we have another 90 minutes and we need to be positive.”

The second leg of this semi-final will take place at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, January 23rd 2024.