Chelsea vs Middlesbrough: Pochettino’s Team ruins Carrick’s Dream

The Blues were clinical in a scrappy game against the visitors from Teeside. Boro were on the receiving end of a 6-1 battering courtesy of sublime performances from the likes of Cole Palmer and Axel Disasi.

Chelsea headed into the game unbeaten in their last eight home games. 

Both sides Chelsea and Middlesbrough did not draw in their last five matches prior to this game. Two changes for Chelsea were made on the team that were victorious against Fulham last time around.

Misses for Chelsea included Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, and Christopher Nkunku.

Middlesbrough were without Darragh Lenihan, Alex Bangura, Isaiah Jones and Tommy Smith.

The earlier Mauricio Pochettino press conference highlighted the importance of beating Middlesbrough in this Carabao cup tie as well as the absence of new signing Christopher Nkunku.

Mauricio Pochettino told Chelsea media; 

Tomorrow is the biggest game of the season because it’s our access to the final.

The game went underway at Stamford Bridge after the minutes silence for former Chelsea forward Tommy Baldwin.

The game began with a 1-0 score on aggregate to visitors Middlesbrough who won with a tight scoreline last time around.

A shaky first five minutes from both sides meant a whole period of time with an end-to-end flavor. The Chelsea defense did well to deal with any early Middlesbrough threat.

Mykhaylo Mudryk picked up an early yellow card for slight rough play after recording the first shot of the match, albeit very poor.

15TH MIN GOAL! Jonathan Howson messed up in a reckless tackle on Broja, hitting off the defender and into the goal. The clumsy effort meant Middlesbrough went behind early on in the game.

The Chelsea goal meant Middlesbrough’s aggregate lead was gone and they looked immediately eager to bring that jubilance back to the supporters.

Boro stood tall in a solid game for Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino’s men seemed to be struggling to break down the Championship side in the 20th minute.

29TH MINUTE GOAL! Enzo Fernandez capitalized off the Middlesbrough panic inside the box after Mudryk’s dribble. Broja’s possession of the ball was not wasted as he moved it onto Fernandez as he powers it into the Middlesbrough net.

5 – All five of Enzo Fernández’s goals for Chelsea have come this season, and at Stamford Bridge. Indeed, he is the joint-top scorer for them at home in all competitions this season, level with Raheem Sterling. Comforts. pic.twitter.com/z1e9qCz1Ec

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 23, 2024

After the latest goal put Chelsea 2-1 up on aggregate, Middlesbrough were facing a collapse in tactical domination. Stamford Bridge was vibrant after Chelsea’s goal.

Another shot from Fernandez in the 34th minute could have made it two for him and three for Chelsea as it blasted straight at Glover. 

36TH MINUTE GOAL! Axel Disasi capped off a brilliant performance with a darting forward run all the way from center-back, to finish a beautifully crafted move. Raheem Sterling the catalyst of a beautiful play.

41ST MINUTE GOAL! Cole Palmer took advantage of a slip up by Barlaser, then took his time to slot it past a helpless Glover. Absolutely cold from the Chelsea center attacking midfielder. 

Chelsea seemed much more inspired on the back of the Cole goal - with the press clearly motivated. 

The Carabao Cup final was 45 minutes away as the half-time statistics were all Chelsea. 64% possession, 2.18 xG which was clearly displayed on the scoreline of 4-0. 91% pass success was also a monumental statistic in favor of the home side.

Despite having just come on for Mudryk, Noni Madueke suffered an injury scare after a harsh encounter with Middlesbrough’s Clarke. Carrick’s men seemed more aggressive after the half-time break.

Carrick’s men continued to be reckless in not only tackles but also attacking tactics. Playing out of the back against Chelsea even 4-0 down.

Pochettino handed 20 year-old Alfie Gilchrist a chance by putting the youngster on for Armando Broja who had underperformed this game.

Boro seemed to be even shakier after their aggressive approach, which ironically tired them out even more after half time. Chelsea continued to be on the front-foot well into the second half despite not having scored as of the 75th minute.

77TH MINUTE GOAL! Cole Palmer was rewarded with another goal after Conor Gallagher’s pressure gave Chelsea the ball back. Another cool slot-in from Palmer brought him into the limelight of Stamford Bridge.

81ST MINUTE GOAL! Literally minutes later, substitute Madueke overturned three Boro defenders to finesse the ball into the left hand side past Glover.

Stamford Bridge was bursting with excitement as at this moment, the Carabao Cup Final already beckoned, where Chelsea will face either Liverpool or Fulham.

A late goal for Boro was dubbed offside albeit an impressive header past Petrovic. 

87TH MINUTE GOAL! Boro’s Rogers drives a desperate attack and overturns Disasi, managing to slot one past Petrovic with a beautifully driven shot.

The late goal from Middlesbrough had brought the game into turmoil again as the Teeside men begin to press more rigorously, fuelled by the away fans who cheered on a single goal, despite being on the receiving end of a 6-1 beating.

Cole Palmer was man of the match after a totally cold display. Two quality finishes capped off a performance worth of advancing to a final. The center attacking midfielder tormented the Boro defense and sent them packing with little to no effort.

0.93 xG for a single player is very good. A 100% shot accuracy shows off the quality of the player, and his marksmanship.

Cole Palmer has registered multiple goal involvements in a single game 5 times for Chelsea:

⚽🅰️ vs. Burnley
⚽🅰️ vs. Spurs
⚽🅰️ vs. Sheffield United
⚽⚽🅰️ vs. Luton
⚽⚽ vs. Middlesbrough

Ice cold. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/nZ7wz0cNyo

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 23, 2024

The world cup-winner Enzo has now scored all five of his goals in front of a home crowd. His goal during this game meant he caught up to Raheem Sterling, and the two are joint top goalscorers for Chelsea in all competitions this season.

Being employed in the center-mid position in a 4-2-3-1 system means he has to defend and attack - but is ultimately one of the players to finish a good ball outside or inside the box.

Chelsea: Petrovic, Chilwell 7.6, Colwill 7.3, Silva 7.6, Disasi 8.2 , Caicedo 7.0, Fernandez 8.1, Mudryk 6.6, Palmer 9.1, Broja 6.1.

Subs: Madueke 7.4, Gallagher 8.3, Gilchrist 6.0, Chukwuemeka 6.7, Castledine 6.0

Middlesbrough: Glover 4.0, Engel 5.0, Van de Berg 5.1, Fry 4.5, Clarke 5.4, Hackney 7.2, Howson 5.3, Barlaser 4.0, Crooks 6.1, Rogers 7.5, Forss 6.7.

Subs: Dijksteel 6.4, O’Brien 6.2, Gilbert 6.0

Match highlights: Chelsea - Middlesbrough

Chelsea’s return to the FA Cup next match means they meet dark horses Aston Villa back on Stamford Bridge turf, on the 26th January. Middlesbrough’s next match was set to be against Birmingham but will now be postponed, meaning Sunderland will be their next fixture on the 4th February.