Stamford Bridge, London – February 21st, 2024: Chelsea FC put on a masterclass in attacking football, thrashing Middlesbrough 6-1 at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to secure their place in the Wembley final with a convincing 6-2 aggregate victory.
Despite entering the clash trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Blues wasted no time in asserting their dominance. An own goal from Jonny Howson early in the first half set the tone, followed by a composed finish from Enzo Fernandez just before the half-hour mark to turn the tie on its head.
Axel Disasi further extended Chelsea’s lead shortly after the break, before Cole Palmer stole the show with a brace. The young midfielder’s clinical finishes effectively put the game to bed, with Noni Madueke adding a sixth late on to cap off a dominant performance. Middlesbrough grabbed a consolation goal through Morgan Rogers, but it was little more than a footnote in Chelsea’s emphatic victory.
Chelsea’s clinical edge was on full display throughout the match. They created numerous chances and were ruthless in their finishing, converting six of their 15 shots on target. Enzo Fernandez, on loan from Benfica, orchestrated the midfield with aplomb, while Cole Palmer’s brace showcased his burgeoning talent.
Middlesbrough, valiant in the first leg, were simply outclassed at Stamford Bridge. Their defensive frailties were exposed by Chelsea’s attacking prowess, and they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities themselves. While their consolation goal will provide some solace, the defeat marks the end of their impressive cup run.
Chelsea now await the winner of the other semi-final between Liverpool and Fulham. The Blues will be aiming to lift their sixth Carabao Cup trophy, having last won the competition in 2015.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Carabao Cup Semi-Final Leg 2 Highlights
First Half
- 15th minute: Chelsea win an early corner. Reece James whips the ball in, and Jonny Howson heads it into his own net to give the Blues the lead! 1-0 Chelsea.
- 29th minute: Enzo Fernandez picks up the ball in midfield and drives forward. He unleashes a powerful shot from outside the box that beats Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley at his near post. 2-0 Chelsea.
- 38th minute: Chelsea win a free-kick in a dangerous position. Hakim Ziyech curls the ball towards the goal, and Axel Disasi rises highest to head it past Lumley. 3-0 Chelsea.
- 42th minute: Cole Palmer receives a pass from Mason Mount inside the box and finishes calmly past Lumley with a low shot. 4-0 Chelsea.
Second Half
- 77th minute: Palmer doubles his tally with another composed finish. He latches onto a loose ball in the box and slots it home past Lumley. 5-0 Chelsea.
- 81th minute: Noni Madueke comes off the bench and makes an immediate impact. He receives a pass from Christian Pulisic and fires a shot into the bottom corner. 6-0 Chelsea.
- 88th minute: Middlesbrough pull one back through Morgan Rogers, who taps in from close range after a scramble in the box. 6-1 Chelsea.
Key Moments
- Chelsea’s early goal: The own goal from Howson gave the Blues a crucial advantage and settled any nerves they might have had.
- Enzo Fernandez’s strike: The Argentine midfielder’s powerful shot put Chelsea firmly in control of the tie.
- Cole Palmer’s brace: The young midfielder was Chelsea’s star performer on the night, showcasing his finishing ability with two well-taken goals.
Overall
Chelsea produced a dominant performance to secure their place in the Carabao Cup final. They were clinical in front of goal and controlled the game from start to finish. Middlesbrough were outclassed but can be proud of their cup run.
Coaches’ Reaction to Chelsea vs Middlesbrough Carabao Cup Semi-Final Leg 2
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino
We’re delighted to reach the final,” Pochettino said after the match. “The players showed great character and quality tonight. We were clinical in front of goal and controlled the game from start to finish. We’ll now turn our attention to the final and try to win the trophy.”
Pochettino was particularly pleased with the performance of young midfielder Cole Palmer, who scored two goals: “Cole was fantastic tonight,” he said. “He took his chances well and showed his quality. He’s a very talented player and I’m looking forward to seeing him develop further.”
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick
“We’re disappointed with the result, but we can’t be too downhearted,” Carrick said. “We gave it our all tonight, but Chelsea were simply the better team. We wish them all the best in the final.”
Carrick praised his players for their effort and commitment: “I’m proud of the way the players fought tonight,” he said. “We knew it would be a tough game, but we gave it our best shot. We can learn from this experience and come back stronger next season.”
Overall, both managers were in agreement that Chelsea were the better team on the night. Pochettino was delighted with his team’s performance and is looking forward to the final, while Carrick was disappointed with the result but proud of his players’ effort.
