Chelsea will need to come from behind in order to reach the Carabao Cup final after Championship side Middlesbrough shocked them with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Hayden Hackney’s first-half goal proved to be the difference, as Chelsea struggled with their finishing throughout the match. Middlesbrough, managed by Manchester United legend Michael Carrick, dealt with early injury blows but still managed to secure the win. Here are five key talking points from the game.
1. Early baths for Lath and Bangura: Middlesbrough suffered two early injury blows, with Emmanuel Latte Lath and Alex Bangura both forced off due to injuries. This forced Boro to make early substitutions and reshuffle their defense.
2. Boro make the Blues pay: Middlesbrough capitalized on a mistake from Jonny Howson, as Hayden Hackney scored the only goal of the game. This ended Middlesbrough’s 14-hour goal drought against Chelsea and gave them a crucial advantage going into the second leg.
3. Palmer’s hat-trick of sitters: Chelsea’s Cole Palmer missed three clear-cut chances in the first half, failing to convert any of them. His poor finishing proved costly for Chelsea, as they were unable to find an equalizer.
4. Chelsea’s toothlessness shows: Despite dominating possession, Chelsea’s lack of clinical finishing was evident in this match. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will need to improve their goal-scoring prowess if they want to overturn the deficit in the second leg.
5. Advantage Boro at the Bridge: Middlesbrough will head into the second leg at Stamford Bridge with the advantage, thanks to their solid defensive display and Hackney’s goal. Chelsea, known for their success in this competition, will need to step up their game if they want to secure a place in the final.
Overall, Middlesbrough’s victory was well-deserved, and they will be hoping to hold on to their advantage in the second leg. Chelsea, on the other hand, will need to improve their finishing and put in a strong performance to turn the tie in their favor.