In a surprising turn of events, Middlesbrough secured a 1-0 victory against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. The Teessiders took the lead as Hayden Hackney calmly slotted in the winning goal in the 37th minute. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer missed three clear chances in the first half, contributing to their failure to find the back of the net.
Middlesbrough’s solid defensive performance frustrated Chelsea, who struggled to break down their
organized opposition. Despite Mauricio Pochettino fielding a strong lineup including Thiago Silva,
Raheem Sterling, and Conor Gallagher, Chelsea failed to showcase their usual attacking prowess.
Boro’s manager, Michael Carrick, praised his team’s exceptional effort, highlighting their ability to
overcome injuries and adversity. The victory provides Middlesbrough with a valuable lead heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on January 23.
Isaiah Jones, named the player of the match, emphasized the significance of the win but acknowledged that it’s only half-time in the tie. Meanwhile, Pochettino expressed disappointment in his team’s lack of clinical finishing and assured fans that there’s still 90 minutes to play in the second leg. The result adds intrigue to the upcoming clash at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea needing a turnaround to secure a spot in the Carabao Cup final.