Chelsea vs Middlesbrough LIVE: Carabao Cup latest score and ...
The Carabao Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Middlesbrough remains finely poised ahead of the second leg tonight at Stamford Bridge.
The Championship side secured a slender 1-0 advantage in their home half of the tie and will be eyeing a trip to Wembley for the first time since they won the competition in 2004.
But Chelsea will be confident of progressing to the final after a good recent run of home form, with Mauricio Pochettino’s bloated squad beginning to show signs of gelling.
A late February date against either Fulham or Liverpool awaits the winner.
Follow below for all the build-up, team news and match reaction. Click here for all the odds and tips.
CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINAL LIVEThe Championship side secured a narrow 1-0 home win in the first leg
Chelsea XI: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Mudryk, Sterling, Broja
Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Barlaser, Clarke, Howson, Forss, Engel, Fry, Hackney, Rogers, Crooks
Goal! - Howson puts through his own net to level the tie on aggregate (1-0)
Goal! Enzo Fernandez on the half-hour mark has Chelsea ahead in the tie (2-0)
Goal! Disasi sweeps home a third in the first half for Blues (3-0)
Goal! Palmer rolls in another after a defensive error (4-0)
Chelsea FC 4 - 0 Middlesbrough FC
54’ - Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough21:15 , Karl Matchett
Thiago Silva is booked for bundling over Rodgers after the attacker escaped him down the Boro right channel.
One or two counters aside, it’s naturally very comfortable for the Blues at this stage, passing around at their own pace and dominating play entirely.
50’ - Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough21:11 , Karl Matchett
Madueke’s first dribble yields a corner and a very sore shoulder for the winger, who lands awkwardly after a tackle. He gets treatment, Chelsea play on from the set-piece and the move ends with Chilwell passing to Colwill, who curls one wide of the far post.
46’ - Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough21:04 , Karl Matchett
Second half time - we’re back underway at Stamford Bridge.
Mudryk replaced by Noni Madueke for Chelsea, Boro swap Forss for Dijksteel.
20:56 , Karl Matchett
Howson own goal, Fernandez, Disasi, Cole.
Game well and truly turned around in 45 minutes, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side now the same length of time away from Wembley.
More to come in the second half.
After 22 games, Cole Palmer has already scored more goals across all competitions in 2023/24 (10) than any Chelsea player managed in the whole of last season.
Ice Cole into double figures. ???? pic.twitter.com/IRZGUSzbha
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 23, 2024
20:50 , Karl Matchett
There’s the half-time whistle and it has been a dream for Chelsea, a disaster for Middlesbrough.
This semi-final is all-but-decided and the Blues are going to Wembley!
GOAL! 42’ - Chelsea 4-0 Middlesbrough20:45 , Karl Matchett
Well it’s certainly over now!
A mistake at the back with an overhit pass and an overstretch, Cole Palmer sneaks back to win the ball, keeps his composure and rolls it into the net!
Four for the Blues in the first half.
40’ - Chelsea 3-0 Middlesbrough20:43 , Karl Matchett
Chelsea rampant and Fernandez dominating. He’s clattered by Crooks who is booked and that’s about the first time anybody has got close to him.
GOAL! 36’ - Chelsea 3-0 Middlesbrough20:39 , Karl Matchett
Wow! Great move down the right, Disasi has his first goal since the opening day of the season and that might well be the semi-final over and done with.
Disasi wins the ball, Palmer plays it forward and Sterling is in once more - his pass infield is typically accurate and Disasi sweeps home to put the Blues three goals up and within touching distance of the Carabao Cup final already.
32’ - Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough20:35 , Karl Matchett
Worth noting that was Chelsea’s first shot on target, despite it being their second goal. Broja should have scored in both goal moments too, but didn’t really get a shot away properly on either one!
Palmer now frees Enzo for another shot but he doesn’t catch this one as well and it’s saved.
20:31 , Karl Matchett
No doubts about this goal!
Sterling gets in behind the defence down the Chelsea right, gets to the byline and fires it to Broja; his shot is blocked but Enzo is free behind him and rattles a first-time finish past the ‘keeper and in - that’s 2-0 on the night and Chelsea ahead on aggregate!
24’ - Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough20:27 , Karl Matchett
Disasi smacks a shot into a defender, then Palmer slips on the edge of the area. The Blues probing without being too full of guile, and Boro - while not conceding lots of dangerous areas for shots - unable to really escape out of their shape for a while now.
The travelling fans resort to taunting their hosts, but it’s all rather comfortable for those wearing blue at the moment, on and off the pitch.
20’ - Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough20:26 , Karl Matchett
Chelsea swarming Boro a litle at the moment and getting plenty of players into attacking positions.
Boro still a threat going forward when they get the chance but it increasingly looks as though it’ll be a case of domination by the home side, and the visitors having to hold on for this half at least.
16’ - Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough20:19 , Karl Matchett
Very nearly 1-1 within a minute! A short corner routine is well-worked by Boro and Rodgers cuts in on his right foot, swivels and drills at the bottom near post - Petrovic gets down smartly to save.
Good chance, hands on the head for the Boro man.
GOAL! 15’ - Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough20:18 , Karl Matchett
Chelsea ahead! Chilwell does brilliantly to open the defence, Sterling is through on goal and squares it for Broja who has a tap-in - though he dallies just long enough for Howson to race back, try to intercept and instead divert the ball into his own net.
It’s one-nil on the night and all square on aggregate!
12’ - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough20:14 , Karl Matchett
Chilwell wants a penalty, he’s not getting one but had a case! The left-back races through, rises above Glover to head at goal, over and wide - but the ‘keeper cleans him out and leaves him on the floor. Nothing given from the referee except a booking for Mudryk for complaining.
No VAR tonight remember.
8’ - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough20:11 , Karl Matchett
Forss gets behind the Chelsea back line and his cross causes chaos from the right - a missed interception and a poor clearance almost gift a shooting chance but no red shirt is on hand to take advantage.
Pochettino looks to have stationed Enzo and Palmer very high and central behind Broja, with Mudryk cutting in off the left. He does so now and sees a shot deflected over - corner for the home team, but Chilwell’s delivery is cleared.
4' - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough20:08 , Karl Matchett
A loud start at the Bridge, albeit it a nervy-looking one from the hosts who have misplaced a few early passes.
Boro looking positive, getting numbers forward when they can, with the back four flitting to a three in possession.
Enzo Fernandez is playing pretty high upfield for Chelsea.
1’ - Chelsea 0-0 Middlesbrough20:02 , Karl Matchett
It’s kick-off time and we are underway! Boro leading 1-0 from the first leg; in 90 minutes, one of these teams could be in the Carabao Cup final, in touching distance of a trophy and the Europa League in 2024/25.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE20:01 , Karl Matchett
We’re just a minute from kick-off, but ahead of the start there’s a minute’s applause for Tommy Baldwin, the former Chelsea player.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:54 , Karl Matchett
Michael Carrick ahead of kick-off:
“I trust the boys, it’s a great opportunity for us and we’ve put a lot of work in to get here. We know what we’re getting into but we’re here to have a right crack at it.”
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:44 , Karl Matchett
A reminder of the teams ahead of kick-off, which is in just 15 minutes:
Chelsea: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Mudryk, Sterling, Broja
Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Barlaser, Clarke, Fry, Hackney, Rogers, Howson, Forss, Crooks, Engel
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:38 , The Independent
Chelseas’ aspirations of reaching a 10th EFL Cup final hang in the balance with Middlesbrough holding a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final tie (8pm, Sky Sports Main Event).
The Teessiders sprang a surprise in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium a fortnight ago, Hayden Hackney’s first-half goal settling the game in favour of the Championship side.
Despite trailing in the tie, Chelsea are 2/5 to advance to the final with football betting sites confident they can overturn the one-goal deficit.
Latest odds and tips:
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough predictions: EFL Cup betting tips, odds & free bets
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:32 , Karl Matchett
The Carabao Cup semi-final second legs take place this week, with Chelsea hosting Middlesbrough before Liverpool head to Fulham for their respective return fixtures.
In the first leg it was the Championship side and the Reds who picked up slender leads, with Boro leading Mauricio Pochettino’s side by a single goal while it a comeback 2-1 victory at Anfield for Liverpool to see off the Cottagers.
This competition is somewhat changeable with regards to rules throughout the campaign, with extra time, penalties and VAR all subject to change depending on which round is being played and which teams are left in - which means an alteration this time out compared to the quarter-finals.
Carabao Cup: Is there extra time in semi-finals?
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:26 , Karl Matchett
Michael Carrick has urged Middlesbrough supporters to dream of Carabao Cup glory, even if he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
Head coach Carrick, 42, will send his Championship side into their semi-final, second-leg battle with Premier League Chelsea on Tuesday evening knowing they could be just 90 minutes away from Wembley and in with a chance of repeating their 2004 triumph.
Carrick, who enjoyed a glittering playing career during which he won 12 major trophies with Manchester United, insists he and his players must treat the occasion like any other match, but can understand the excitement of the club’s supporters.
He said: “Part of football is creating hopes and dreams and the passion and excitement, the dream, the fairytale. I was exactly the same when I was purely a supporter. That is what it should be.”
Michael Carrick wants Middlesbrough fans to dream of Wembley but he’s all business
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:20 , Karl Matchett
Joe Cole has thrown his weight behind Mauricio Pochettino ahead of a critical week for Chelsea.
The Blues are languishing ninth in the Premier League and trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by 12 points, but turn their focus to the domestic cups this week.
Championship Middlesbrough visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday holding a one-goal advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final while Villa await on Friday in an FA Cup fourth-round tie, but Cole does not believe this week is make-or-break for Pochettino.
Joe Cole plays down talk of make-or-break week at Chelsea
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:14 , Karl Matchett
Recent form is an odd one, for Chelsea at least. The Premier League club have been improved of late with just one blip in the last five: away to Boro, of course.
But wins over Crystal Palace, Luton, Preston and Fulham - the latter since that loss at the Riverside - does show they are finding some consistency of victories.
For Boro, since the first-leg win they’ve won at Millwall and drawn at home to Rotherham, leaving them mid-table in the Championship - though only three points off the play-off spots.
They came into the first leg having lost successive fixtures to Coventry and Aston Villa, the latter in the FA Cup.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:08 , Karl Matchett
Worth a reminder of what we’re facing then: Boro won the first leg 1-0, so Chelsea need a win tonight at the very least to avoid elimination. If Boro don’t lose, they are into the final.
If it’s a one-goal win for the Blues, we’ll go to extra time, and penalties if needed beyond that 30 minutes.
There are no away goals in the EFL Cup semis.
Additionally, remember we have no VAR in these games, as it’s not installed at Boro’s home ground.
Chelsea vs Middlesbrough - LIVE19:07 , Karl Matchett
Starting lineups:
Chelsea: Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Mudryk, Sterling, Broja
Middlesbrough: Glover, Van den Berg, Barlaser, Clarke, Fry, Hackney, Rogers, Howson, Forss, Crooks, Engel
Kalvin Phillips to end Man City nightmare with Premier League loan move18:56 , Karl Matchett
Manchester City have agreed to loan Kalvin Phillips to West Ham United for the rest of the season.
The move is not yet complete but the midfielder is set to join the Hammers to try and boost his chances of retaining his place in the England squad for Euro 2024.
There could be an option for West Ham to buy Phillips in the summer in the final deal but for now the two clubs are ready to conclude a straight loan move.
Phillips had also attracted interest from a host of other clubs, including Juventus, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, but West Ham saw off competition for his signature.
Kalvin Phillips to end Man City nightmare with Premier League loan move
Mauricio Pochettino puts Stamford Bridge apathy down to last season’s struggles18:49 , Karl Matchett
Mauricio Pochettino believes Chelsea’s struggles last season are responsible for the apathy observed at Stamford Bridge during home games under his tenure.
The team won just three Premier League games at home in the first 11 months of 2023 under managers Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor, Frank Lampard and Pochettino.
Between January and the beginning of December they scored 18 goals in 19 games, though four came in a single, frenetic draw with Manchester City in the final match of that run.
Since then their form in west London has improved markedly. They are unbeaten since losing to Brentford on October 28 and have won four consecutive games, their best run at home in the league since winning six in a row during Lampard’s first spell, either side of the 2020 Covid shutdown.
Mauricio Pochettino puts Stamford Bridge apathy down to last season’s struggles
Raheem Sterling reveals his vegan curry recipe as footballers cut out the meat18:42 , Karl Matchett
Raheem Sterling has revealed his recipe for a vegan curry as part of the Green Football Weekend campaign.
Professional footballers – from Lionel Messi to Hector Bellerin – are increasingly cutting down the amount of meat and animal products in their diet. It’s all in a bid to stay healthy and on the pitch for as long as possible, and it could be having a trickle-down effect to the fans.
This doesn’t mean the whole Premier League has gone vegan, but it’s raising awareness around stepping-stones that can help both your health and the environment.
Raheem Sterling reveals his vegan curry recipe as footballers cut out the meat
Premier League ‘yet to offer’ financial deal to EFL but have spent extra £500m on wages18:35 , Karl Matchett
The Premier League has committed almost half a billion pounds extra to player wages rather than the £285m to the wider pyramid from the deal offered in 2021, according to English Football League chair Rick Parry.
The figure was outlined as the football governance bill enters its “absolute final stages”, according to the government, with the expectation of being passed into law before Easter. That will bring the establishment of an independent regulator, that will have backstop powers to force the Premier League into a deal, that the EFL wants at a 75-25 split. The top division has as yet made no offer, as it has also developed a cumulative wage bill that is £2bn more than any of the four other major leagues in Europe.
The argument made at an EFL dinner event was that Premier League clubs are working against their own interests in not agreeing a deal since 14 of the competition’s clubs have not been fixed members at an average of 13 years in the division, and so many of its players come through the pyramid. Fortifying that is the view that the advantage over the rest of Europe is now so great that there isn’t even the same competitive necessity, which is why more can be done to help the wider pyramid.
Miguel Delaney’s feature:
Premier League ‘yet to offer’ deal to EFL but have spent extra £500m on wages
Good evening16:14 , Ben Fleming
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg between Chelsea and Middlesbrough. It’s the Championship side who have the slender advantage after the first leg, with Michael Carrick’s side picking up a 1-0 win at the Riverside.
However, the Mauricio Pochettino’s, whose defeat to Boro was their only loss in their last five games, will be confident of overturning the one-goal deficit and making their way to their ninth League Cup final at Wembley next month.
It’s bound to be an intriguing affair at Stamford Bridge, so stay with us for all the build-up, team news, match updates and reaction!
