Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough produced a masterclass in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final to beat Chelsea 1-0 in front of a raucous Riverside stadium.
Boro were missing 12 first-team players ahead of kick-off and their injury misery was compounded in the first half when Emmanuel Latte Lath failed to recover from a robust challenge before Alex Bangura pulled up with an apparent hamstring strain.
On 31 minutes Cole Palmer had arguably Chelsea’s best chance of the half when Jonny Howson gifted possession straight to the England international, and on his favoured left foot 18 yards from goal, many would have expected the net to bulge rather than the ball to roll wide of the left-hand post.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were largely dominant in the first 35 minutes without being particularly threatening but it was Middlesbrough who took the lead in the 37th minute through a beautifully crafted goal on the break.
Hayden Hackney scored the only goal, opening up his body to slide home an Isaiah Jones cross in the first half.
Minutes before the HT whistle, Palmer’s second gilt-edged chance to find the net arrived as Enzo Fernandez’s shot was spilled by Tom Glover but the winger somehow couldn’t level things up from six yards out with the goal gaping.
Pochettino was largely dismissive of domestic cups during his time at Tottenham Hotspur but Chelsea started the second half with added impetus, seemingly well aware of how important an early trophy would be for the manager’s tenure.
First, Mykhailo Mudryk’s whipped effort was held by Glover before Raheem Sterling cut inside to curl a fierce shot just over the bar.
Chelsea’s attacking play has lacked that potent threat in centre-forward positions all season and this display against a spirited Middlesbrough was no different.
The second leg will take place at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, 23 January.
However, Liverpool will Fulham in the other semi-final, with the final taking place at Wembley on Sunday, 25 February.
