Chelsea stumbles at Middlesbrough in EFL cup semi-final – face uphill 2nd-leg battle
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, Chelsea stumbled to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough in the first-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Hayden Hackney emerged as the hero with a silky finish from an Isaiah Jones pass in the 37th minute, leaving Mauricio Pochettino’s side with a significant uphill battle in the return leg.
Despite Chelsea’s domination in possession, the wasteful side squandered numerous opportunities, with the primary culprit being Cole Palmer.
The young talent failed to find the target twice in the opening half, missing golden chances that could have altered the course of the game.
Boro, the Championship side, showcased a superb defensive display, holding on to their slender advantage gained at the Riverside Stadium.
Chelsea, on the other hand, found themselves booed by some of their own fans at the final whistle, reflecting the disappointment of the unexpected setback.
With the return leg set for January 23 at Stamford Bridge, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad has a chance at redemption, but Middlesbrough heads to London with confidence, believing they can secure a historic victory and book their place at Wembley.
The EFL Cup drama continues, and Chelsea will need a stellar performance to overturn the deficit and keep their Wembley dreams alive.
